1989-08-05: Hughes 269C — Crescent Airways — Hollywood, FL

Casualties unknown • Hollywood, FL, US

Probable cause

THE SEVERE FUSELAGE VIBRATION (GROUND RESONANCE) AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO AVOID OR COMPENSATE FOR THE OCCURRENCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW SHOCK STRUT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING COCKPIT AND RUNUP PROCEDURES TO THE STUDENT, WHEN THE HELICOPTER BECAME LIGHT ON THE SKIDS WITH OPERATING RPM & GROUND RESONANCE DEVELOPED. THE INSTRUCTOR BOTTOMED THE PITCH & SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE GROUND RESONANCE BECAME WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL BOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, A FUEL CELL RUPTURED & A FIRE ERUPTED. ACCORDING TO AN FAA HANDBOOK (AC 61-13B), THE CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR GETTING OUT OF GROUND RESONANCE WAS TO LIFT OFF. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK STRUT WAS LOW.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-08-05 Hughes 269C accident near Hollywood, FL?

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING COCKPIT AND RUNUP PROCEDURES TO THE STUDENT, WHEN THE HELICOPTER BECAME LIGHT ON THE SKIDS WITH OPERATING RPM & GROUND RESONANCE DEVELOPED. THE INSTRUCTOR BOTTOMED THE PITCH & SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE GROUND RESONANCE BECAME WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL BOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-08-05 involved a Hughes 269C, registration N81AM, operated by Crescent Airways, at Hollywood, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE SEVERE FUSELAGE VIBRATION (GROUND RESONANCE) AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO AVOID OR COMPENSATE FOR THE OCCURRENCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW SHOCK STRUT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29200. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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