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November 15, 2003 · Hughes OH-6A · N536

Greenville, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Greenville, SC
Aircraft
Hughes OH-6A
Tail Number
N536
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA037

According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), while conducting an instructional flight an autorotation was performed. After the autorotation the CFI brought the helicopter to a hover, and then climbed to an altitude of approximately 200 feet for another practice autorotation. The helicopter briefly shuttered and the aft section of the tail boom separated from the airframe. The helicopter began spinning and came to rest in a thicket of pine trees. According to a witness at the scene of the practice autorotation, he recalled hearing a loud "pop" when the helicopter touched down. The CFI did not hear or feel anything unusual during or after the autorotation, and reported a normal takeoff. A survey of the first touchdown point revealed a pie shaped piece of blue metal on the ground. Further examination revealed the pie shaped piece of metal fit an area on the tail boom. Examination revealed the main rotor blades had blue paint on the tips. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the CFI.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, resulting in a hard landing and a main rotor/tailboom strike.

Full Narrative

On November 15, 2003, at 1045 eastern standard time, a Hughes OH-6A, N536, registered to and operated by MG Aviation, collided with the ground during an instructional flight at Greenville Downtown Airport, Greenville, South Carolina. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and commercial pilot did not report any injuries. The flight departed Greenville Downtown Airport Greenville, South Carolina, on November 15, 2003, at 1045. According to the CFI, while conducting an instructional flight an autorotation was performed. After the autorotation the CFI brought the helicopter to a hover, and then climbed to an altitude of approximately 200 feet for another practice autorotation. The helicopter briefly shuttered and the aft section of the tail boom separated from the airframe. The helicopter began spinning and came to rest in a thicket of pine trees. According to a witness at the scene of the practice autorotation, he recalled hearing a loud "pop" when the helicopter touched down. The CFI did not hear or feel anything unusual during or after the autorotation, and reported a normal takeoff. A survey of the first touchdown point revealed a pie shaped piece of blue metal on the ground. Further examination revealed the pie shaped piece of metal fit an area on the tail boom. Examination revealed the main rotor blades had blue paint on the tips. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the CFI.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 EST
Nearest AirportGreenville Downtown (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes OH-6A
Tail NumberN536
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C10D · Turboshaft · 270
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 36 C
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data