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NTSB Report
March 27, 1991 · Hughes 369HS · N5FC
Columbia, MD
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Columbia, MD
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N5FC
Operator
Omni Flight Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO91LA036
THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CLEARING ON TELEPHONE COMPANY RIGHT OF WAY PROPERTY IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPANY'S GROUND PERSONNEL. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, AFTER TURNING HIS CRAFT INTO THE WIND AND MANEUVERING TO AVOID SOME LOOSE GROUND WIRES, HE DESCENDED FOR A LANDING. AT ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE AIRCRAFT SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY, BUT HE DID NOT LOSE PEDAL CONTROL. HE EXECUTED A HOVER AUTO ROTATION, LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. AFTER EXITING THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THE TAIL ROTOR AND FINS HAD STRUCK A 2 INCH METAL FENCE POST THAT WAS 7 FEET TALL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (FENCE POST).
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CLEARING ON TELEPHONE COMPANY RIGHT OF WAY PROPERTY IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPANY'S GROUND PERSONNEL. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, AFTER TURNING HIS CRAFT INTO THE WIND AND MANEUVERING TO AVOID SOME LOOSE GROUND WIRES, HE DESCENDED FOR A LANDING. AT ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE AIRCRAFT SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY, BUT HE DID NOT LOSE PEDAL CONTROL. HE EXECUTED A HOVER AUTO ROTATION, LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. AFTER EXITING THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THE TAIL ROTOR AND FINS HAD STRUCK A 2 INCH METAL FENCE POST THAT WAS 7 FEET TALL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN5FC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOmni Flight Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 5 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 7 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO