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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 28, 2003 · Hughes 269C · N9620F

Gail, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Gail, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N9620F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03CA233

Prior to takeoff, the helicopter was facing in an aft direction on a transport trailer, and the pilot had completed a preflight inspection on the helicopter. During takeoff, the helicopter "felt like it was hung on something." Subsequently, the helicopter blades impacted terrain, and the helicopter came to rest on adjacent to the trailer. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of control for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On September 28, 2003, at 0830 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C single-engine helicopter, N9620F, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from a transport trailer near Gail, Texas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 9,146-hour pilot reported to an NTSB investigator, that prior to takeoff, the helicopter was facing in an aft direction on a transport trailer, and he completed a preflight inspection on the helicopter. The pilot added that during takeoff, the helicopter "felt like it was hung on something." Subsequently, the pilot lost control of the helicopter an the main rotor blades impacted terrain, and the helicopter came to rest adjacent to the trailer. Examination of the helicopter, by an FAA inspector who responded to the site of the accident, revealed that the tail boom was separated and all three main rotor blades were damaged. Examination of the transport trailer revealed during the accident sequence, the trailer was moved "approximately 6 feet straight back" from its original position. One of the helicopter tie down chains was found spread across the top of the trailer. No damage was noted on the transport trailer, or tie down chain. The reason for the loss of control was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN9620F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data