Summary
On March 11, 2010, a Hughes 369 (N8618F) was involved in an incident near Naples, FL. 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 excessive aft cyclic imput during the flare following an practice autorotation, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom.
On March 11, 2010, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N8618F, was substantially damaged following a landing at Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot and airline transport pilot-rated check pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to complete a yearly check ride, which included all basic flight maneuvers and autorotations to landing. On the third autorotation, after touch-down, the pilot heard a "thud" and "no longer had use of the anti-torque pedals." The check pilot visually observed damage to the tail section.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA10LA172. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8618F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's excessive aft cyclic imput during the flare following an practice autorotation, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On March 11, 2010, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N8618F, was substantially damaged following a landing at Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot and airline transport pilot-rated check pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to complete a yearly check ride, which included all basic flight maneuvers and autorotations to landing. On the third autorotation, after touch-down, the pilot heard a "thud" and "no longer had use of the anti-torque pedals." The check pilot visually observed damage to the tail section. The helicopter was shut down and both pilots exited normally. The pilot stated that upon further inspection, it appeared that "one or more of the rotor blades had struck the tail boom and severed the tail."
The pilot also noted that the accident could have been prevented if the cyclic was "forward to neutral on and after touchdown."
The APF automated weather observation, at 0853, reported winds from 130 degrees at 12 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, overcast clouds at 1,500 feet, temperature 22 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 20 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of mercury.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10LA172