Summary
On May 30, 2009, a Hughes 369A (N298SD) was involved in an incident near Baltimore, OH. 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 attain a proper touchdown point, and his decision not to perform a go-around.
The pilot attempted a practice 180-degree autorotation to a grass airstrip during a personal flight. The helicopter overshot the grass airstrip and touched down in an area of uncut grass that contained a tractor tire rut. During touchdown, the helicopter turned sharply to the left and then snap rolled to the right when the landing gear skid contacted the tire rut. The helicopter sustained damage to the tail boom and rotor blades resulting in substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger were uninjured.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA332. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N298SD.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, and his decision not to perform a go-around.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot attempted a practice 180-degree autorotation to a grass airstrip during a personal flight. The helicopter overshot the grass airstrip and touched down in an area of uncut grass that contained a tractor tire rut. During touchdown, the helicopter turned sharply to the left and then snap rolled to the right when the landing gear skid contacted the tire rut. The helicopter sustained damage to the tail boom and rotor blades resulting in substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger were uninjured.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA332