Casualties unknown

1997-02-21: Hughes 269C (N5160N) — Skyfire — Hood River, OR

Hood River, OR, US

On February 21, 1997, a Hughes 269C (registration N5160N) operated by Skyfire was involved in an aviation accident near Hood River, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's misjudgment of altitude and airspeed during a turn. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A flight instructor conducting a demonstration flight for a prospective student experienced a loss of collective during a descending turn, resulting in the helicopter's skid contacting the ground.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor was piloting a helicopter during a demonstration flight intended for a prospective student. While executing a descending right turn following a cyclic climb, the pilot reported that the collective control became ineffective, a condition described as 'running out of collective.' The helicopter subsequently contacted the terrain with its right rear skid.

Flight Details

The maneuver involved a cyclic climb followed by a descending right turn. During the turn, the pilot noted a loss of collective authority, leading to an unplanned descent. The impact occurred with the right rear skid striking the ground. At the time of the incident, wind conditions were calm.

Post-Impact Actions

After the skid contacted the terrain, the pilot brought the helicopter to a hover. An assessment of the aircraft's condition was performed while in the hover. Following the inspection, the pilot conducted a hover taxi to a landing area. No further details about the aircraft's condition or the outcome of the flight were provided.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07464. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.