ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 295131
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| Date: | Tuesday 7 October 2003 |
| Time: | 08:40 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 269A |
| Owner/operator: | Fredricks Aviation Inc. |
| Registration: | N911HC |
| MSN: | 67-280781 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12393 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO360 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Huntsville, Alabama -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | Moontown, AL (3M5) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to photograph a nearby golf course. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to facilitate the purpose of the flight, the tail rotor assembly collided with trees, and the helicopter subsequently collided with the ground. The passenger stated that the helicopter was traveling in a backward motion at approximately 60 feet above the ground. Examination of the downed helicopter revealed that wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the wreckage. The on site examination revealed the helicopter tail rotor struck a tree approximately 60 feet above the ground. The center of impact was nearly vertical in direction, 46 feet from the tree that was struck. The ground scar of the helicopter was consistent with very little or no lateral movement. The downed helicopter came to rest on its left side on a 010-degree magnetic heading approximately 5 nautical miles southeast of downtown Huntsville, Alabama. Examination of the wreckage at the wreckage site revealed the tail boom was separated. The tail rotor blade was separated from the tail boom. The pilot did not report any problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent uncontrolled collision with the ground.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ATL04LA011
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Oct-2022 18:20 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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