Summary
On August 07, 2010, a Hughes 269B (N11XC) was involved in an accident near Lakeview, MI. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition.
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.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA469. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N11XC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
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