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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 3, 2000 · Hughes 269C · N456EM

Aberdeen, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Aberdeen, SD
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N456EM
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA131

The helicopter impacted terrain during landing after entering into a ground resonance condition..

NTSB Probable Cause

the ground resonance encountered by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2000, at 1755 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N456EM, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during landing at Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR), Aberdeen, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 proficiency flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated ABR at 1730. In a written statement, the pilot reported, "...When landing, a condition I recognized as ground resonance began to exist. I then put the collective down and the condition did not seem to improve so I tried to lift the ship off the ground but rotor speed too slow".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:55 CDT
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN456EM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-DIA · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data