Student Pilot Loses Control of Helicopter During Maintenance Check

Casualties unknown • Dallas, TX, US

A student pilot lost control of a newly purchased helicopter during a maintenance run-up and radio operational check, resulting in a hard touchdown and rollover.

What happened

A student pilot, who was also the owner of a recently purchased helicopter, attempted to perform a maintenance run-up and an operational check of newly installed radios. The pilot's intention was to bring the aircraft into a hover while remaining in the same location.

During the process, after lifting off from the ground, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. This led to a hard touchdown, which caused the helicopter to roll over and come to rest on its side. The pilot was not injured in the accident.

At the time of the event, the pilot's logbook indicated a total flight time of 88.6 hours in single-engine airplanes, with only 0.6 hours of that time being solo flight. Regarding experience in the specific aircraft involved in the accident, the pilot had accumulated 2.5 hours of flight time.

Probable cause

The pilot lost control of the helicopter during a maintenance run-up and radio operational check.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-02-17 Hughes 269A accident near Dallas, TX?

A student pilot lost control of a newly purchased helicopter during a maintenance run-up and radio operational check, resulting in a hard touchdown and rollover.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-02-17 involved a Hughes 269A, registration N8897F, at Dallas, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot lost control of the helicopter during a maintenance run-up and radio operational check.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05253. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…