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NTSB Report
May 5, 1991 · Hughes 269B · N3TL
Lincoln Park, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lincoln Park, NJ
Aircraft
Hughes 269B
Tail Number
N3TL
Operator
Dennis Leaver
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91LA126
THE PILOT BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A LOW HOVER. IN THE HOVER, THE PILOT LOST VISUAL REFERENCE AND ENTERED A RIGHT TURN, ROTATING 270 DEGREES PRIOR TO THE PILOT INITIATING CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE HELICOPTER ROTATED ANOTHER 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT PRIOR TO TOUCHING DOWN. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT SKID BROKE OFF AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED PRIOR TO SUNRISE AND THE PILOT HAD A MECHANIC SHINE A FLASHLIGHT ON THE DUAL TACH FOR ILLUMINATION. THERE WERE MINIMAL OUTSIDE REFERENCES. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT SAID HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, HOWEVER, HE DID NOT ROLL OFF THE THROTTLE OR USE FULL LEFT PEDAL. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE HELICOPTER.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING A HOVER DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPLETELY USE THE MINIMAL VISUAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A LOW HOVER. IN THE HOVER, THE PILOT LOST VISUAL REFERENCE AND ENTERED A RIGHT TURN, ROTATING 270 DEGREES PRIOR TO THE PILOT INITIATING CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE HELICOPTER ROTATED ANOTHER 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT PRIOR TO TOUCHING DOWN. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT SKID BROKE OFF AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED PRIOR TO SUNRISE AND THE PILOT HAD A MECHANIC SHINE A FLASHLIGHT ON THE DUAL TACH FOR ILLUMINATION. THERE WERE MINIMAL OUTSIDE REFERENCES. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT SAID HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, HOWEVER, HE DID NOT ROLL OFF THE THROTTLE OR USE FULL LEFT PEDAL. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE HELICOPTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLincoln Park (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269B
Tail NumberN3TL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDennis Leaver
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO