19 Sep 2015: HUGHES 269B — Eagel Aviation Academy

19 Sep 2015: HUGHES 269B — Eagel Aviation Academy

No fatalities • Hartford, AL, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his subsequent failure to attain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a wire fence.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of the helicopter was taking off from a field at farm, and attempted to clear a driveway, when the left skid toe caught on the top of a wire fence. The pilot applied aft cyclic in an attempt to climb; however, the helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The main rotor, tail rotor, and airframe sustained substantial damage. Subsequent examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions which would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported about 3,900 hours of total flight experience in rotorcraft, which included 160 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. He further reported that the accident could have been prevented had he conducted a walk around of the takeoff area to better evaluate prospective hazards.

Contributing factors

  • cause Altitude — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • cause Pilot
  • Fence/fence post

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 020/06kt, vis 10sm

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