N11XC

Substantial
Serious

HUGHES 269BS/N: 0102

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, August 7, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA469
Location
Lakeview, MI
Event ID
20100810X11010
Coordinates
43.452220, -85.264724
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N11XC
Make
HUGHES
Serial Number
0102
Year Built
1965
Model / ICAO
269B

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CAPEN CLAYTON C
Address
11681 11 MILE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
MECOSTA
State / Zip Code
MI 49332-9741
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot was flying the helicopter to the fuel pumps on the airport and made a high approach due to other aircraft traffic. About 50 feet above the ground he experienced "settling with power". He could not arrest the descent and the helicopter impacted the ground, bounced, became airborne again, and was spinning due to the separation of the tail boom and tail rotor. The helicopter then struck a hangar and impacted the ground a second time. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter. The helicopter had about 16 hours since a complete rebuild, and less than one hour since annual inspection.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA469