N428MS

Substantial
None

Hughes 269CS/N: S1424

Accident Details

Date
Monday, July 30, 2007
NTSB Number
SEA07CA220
Location
Three Forks, MT
Event ID
20070808X01144
Coordinates
45.878055, -111.569168
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during autorotation. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision was a factor.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N428MS
Make
HUGHES
Serial Number
S1424
Year Built
1989
Model / ICAO
269C

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
115 CHEESMAN ST
Status
Deregistered
City
ERIE
State / Zip Code
CO 80516
Country
United States

Analysis

The instructor reported that during a training flight, while practicing an autorotation, the student began the cyclic flare and the tail of the rotorcraft struck the runway. The power recovery was initiated by the student and the instructor began to assist on the controls. The instructor reported that there was very little tail rotor effectiveness and that the aircraft then began to spin, made contact again with the ground and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter prior to 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# SEA07CA220