N7423F

On October 10, 2004, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N7423F, was substantially damaged during liftoff from the Minerva Airport (OH15), Minerva, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which was destined for the Barber Airport (2D1), Alliance, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, as he lifted the helicopter off the ground, it began to "tilt forward." In an attempt to recover the pitch attitude, the pilot pulled back on the cyclic, and at the same time, the tail boom impacted the ground, and separated from the helicopter.

The pilot reported receiving his private pilot certificate approximately 2 weeks prior to the accident. At the time of the accident, he had accumulated 76 hours of flight time, in make and model. Additionally, the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.

Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail boom and main rotor blades.

The winds reported at Barber Airport, about 17 miles to the northwest of Minerva, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots.