On March 6, 2000, a Hughes 369D (registration N303BT) was involved in an aviation accident near Dallas, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper use of flight controls during an emergency landing. Factors were an encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) during an out-of-ground effect hover, the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and his failure to follow proper… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter performing an OGE hover for aerial photography experienced right yaw excursions, leading to an autorotation landing that resulted in a rollover. Postaccident examination found no abnormalities.
Incident Overview
A helicopter conducting aerial photography for a live news broadcast experienced multiple unanticipated right yaw excursions while performing an out-of-ground effect (OGE) hover at 500 feet above ground level. The winds were from 030 degrees at 10 knots, and the helicopter was on a heading of 195 degrees.
Pilot Actions
In response to the yaw excursions, the pilot initiated an autorotation landing. He stretched the landing to clear power lines. Upon ground impact, the helicopter rolled onto its right side.
Pilot's Perspective
The pilot reported that he had previously experienced a tail rotor failure in the same model helicopter and believed a similar malfunction might have occurred. He referenced Advisory Circular 90-95 (Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters), which advises pilots to avoid tailwinds while maneuvering between hover and 30 knots and to be aware of wind direction and velocity when hovering in winds of 8-10 knots, especially OGE. The circular recommends adjusting controls for normal forward flight as a recovery technique.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no engine or airframe abnormalities.