Summary
On March 27, 2004, a Hughes 269B (N9520F) was involved in an incident near Farmingdale, NY. 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 pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while hover-taxiing. A factor in this accident was the high wind condition.
On March 27, 2004, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Hughes 269B, N9520F, was substantially damaged while hover-taxiing at Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated he was hover-taxiing to runway 32, at a height of 5-feet, when a gust of wind blew the helicopter sideways and to the right. The right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over.
The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC04CA096. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9520F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while hover-taxiing. A factor in this accident was the high wind condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 27, 2004, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Hughes 269B, N9520F, was substantially damaged while hover-taxiing at Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated he was hover-taxiing to runway 32, at a height of 5-feet, when a gust of wind blew the helicopter sideways and to the right. The right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over.
The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He reported 450 hours of total rotorcraft flight experience, which included 26 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.
Winds speeds of 15 knots, with 18 knot gusts were reported FRG, about the time of the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC04CA096