Casualties unknown

Student Pilot Hard-Lands Helicopter During Quick Stop, Tail Rotor Strikes Taxiway (N58397)

Utica, NY, US

On September 1, 1999, a Hughes 269C (registration N58397) operated by Richard Rabe was involved in an aviation accident near Utica, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's excessive collective input with insufficient forward motion during a quick stop, resulting in a hard landing. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot performing a third quick stop lowered the collective excessively without forward motion, causing a hard landing. The helicopter's tail rotor contacted the taxiway and the aft portion of the landing skid was pushed outward. No pre-impact malfunctions were found.

Accident Details

A student pilot performed two uneventful quick stops during a training flight. On the third quick stop, the pilot lowered the collective 'too much with no forward motion,' resulting in a hard landing. The helicopter's tail rotor contacted the taxiway, and the aft portion of the landing skid was pushed outward.

Pilot Information

The pilot reported a total of 20.6 hours of flight experience in helicopters, all of which were accumulated in the accident helicopter's make and model.

Examination

Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

Probable cause

The student pilot's excessive collective input with insufficient forward motion during a quick stop, resulting in a hard landing.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19856. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.