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NTSB Report
July 16, 1983 · Hughes 269 · N8773F
Mesa, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Hughes 269
Tail Number
N8773F
Operator
Helicopter Associates
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA340
THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DEMONSTRATING A POWER RECOVERY AUTOROTATION TO A DRY RIVER BED, WHICH HE INITIATED AT 500 FEET AGL BY ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE AND LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE. APRX 5 SECONDS LATER HE OBSERVED A CHANGE IN SOUND AND NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM AT 0. HE CONTINUED TO AUTOROTATE AND OVERSHOT THE SOFT GRAVEL AREA OF THE SOFT RIVER BED AND TOUCHED DOWN IN AN AREA COVERED WITH LARGE ROCKS. THE RIGHT SKID BROKE AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DEMONSTRATING A POWER RECOVERY AUTOROTATION TO A DRY RIVER BED, WHICH HE INITIATED AT 500 FEET AGL BY ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE AND LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE. APRX 5 SECONDS LATER HE OBSERVED A CHANGE IN SOUND AND NOTICED THE ENGINE RPM AT 0. HE CONTINUED TO AUTOROTATE AND OVERSHOT THE SOFT GRAVEL AREA OF THE SOFT RIVER BED AND TOUCHED DOWN IN AN AREA COVERED WITH LARGE ROCKS. THE RIGHT SKID BROKE AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269
Tail NumberN8773F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicopter Associates
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HO-360-B1B · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:48
Weather SourceWFAC