ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 292101
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| Date: | Thursday 6 July 2006 |
| Time: | 15:55 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 369A |
| Owner/operator: | John Holmes |
| Registration: | N72LB |
| MSN: | 691194 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1969 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4405 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C10D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Medford, Oregon -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Medford, OR |
| Jacksonville, OR | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot said that he flew a high reconnaissance circle over his intended landing site. He observed ripples on a pond which led him to believe that the wind was from the south. During his landing approach, as he descended to 10 to 15 feet AGL, he pulled up on the collective to extend his glide. The pilot said the helicopter started to settle and became very unstable. He "recognized it as settling with power down wind." He leveled the skids and the helicopter hit the ground; he said that 1 or 2 seconds later the helicopter began to lift and turn to the right. He applied left pedal with no response; he then lowered the collective. Subsequently, the left skid tube caught the ground and collapsed, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The main rotor blades did not come in contact with the ground or any part of the helicopter, but the tail rotor blades were broken. Additionally the tail boom and tail rotor drive shaft were broken. The pilot said that after he got out of the helicopter, he noticed that the wind was variable with light gusts. He said that the pond was being filled with water which gave him an incorrect interpretation of the wind conditions for landing.
Probable Cause: The pilot's misinterpretation of the wind direction (in-flight planning) and subsequent improper descent rate to the ground during a landing attempt. A factor was the tailwind conditions.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB SEA06CA137
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 08-Oct-2022 14:28 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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