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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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March 3, 1985 · Hughes 269C · N9664F

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N9664F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85FA130

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A ZERO GROUND SPEED PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. A HIGH SINK DEVELOPED AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT FOR DECREASING ROTOR RPM, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND TAIL FIRST AND ROLLED OVER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXPERIENCED HELICOPTER PLT WHO WITNESSES THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE AUTOROTATIONS WERE TERMINATED ABRUPTLY WITH AN EXTREMELY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE.

Full Narrative

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A ZERO GROUND SPEED PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. A HIGH SINK DEVELOPED AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT FOR DECREASING ROTOR RPM, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND TAIL FIRST AND ROLLED OVER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXPERIENCED HELICOPTER PLT WHO WITNESSES THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE AUTOROTATIONS WERE TERMINATED ABRUPTLY WITH AN EXTREMELY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CST
Nearest AirportStinson Fld. (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN9664F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt, gusting 1 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:02
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data