Summary
On December 04, 2000, a Hughes 269C (N1097N) was involved in an incident near Carlsbad, CA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The CFI's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation. A contributing factor was the student's improper in-flight planning/decision.
On December 4, 2000, about 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Hughes 269C, N1097N, operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., Carlsbad, California, landed hard at the McClellan-Palomar Airport, in Carlsbad. The tail boom was severed, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Neither the airline transport certificated pilot, who held a flight instructor certificate, nor the pilot who was receiving a checkout were injured. The training flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Carlsbad about 1300.
According to the flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was to observe the skill level of the second pilot, and to provide any needed instruction.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX01LA053. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1097N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The CFI's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation. A contributing factor was the student's improper in-flight planning/decision.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On December 4, 2000, about 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Hughes 269C, N1097N, operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., Carlsbad, California, landed hard at the McClellan-Palomar Airport, in Carlsbad. The tail boom was severed, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Neither the airline transport certificated pilot, who held a flight instructor certificate, nor the pilot who was receiving a checkout were injured. The training flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Carlsbad about 1300.
According to the flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was to observe the skill level of the second pilot, and to provide any needed instruction. The CFI assigned the second pilot the task of performing an autorotation to a landing on an airport helipad. During the approach the second pilot, who was handling the flight controls, was a "little short" of the desired touchdown mark. Main rotor rpm decreased, and upon touchdown a rotor blade chopped off the tail boom. The helicopter remained in an upright attitude.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX01LA053