Accident Overview
On September 22, 2016, at 1630 central daylight time, a Hughes 269B helicopter, registration N269BS, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a loss of engine power. The incident occurred near Ozark, Alabama, while the helicopter was conducting a local instructional flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries.
Sequence of Events
According to the flight instructor and student pilot, the helicopter was in cruise flight at 75 mph and 800 feet mean sea level when the instructor announced a simulated engine failure and reduced the throttle and collective controls. The student pilot responded by adjusting the flight controls to establish an autorotation at 60 mph. A cross-check of the instruments indicated all readings were normal or within the green range.
As the instructor initiated recovery of the maneuver at 100 feet above ground level by advancing the throttle and checking engine and rotor rpm indications, the engine rpm indication showed zero. The instructor then announced an actual engine failure, joined the student pilot on the flight controls, and completed the autorotation to the ground. During touchdown, the helicopter bounced on the right front skid and rolled over onto its right side.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The flight instructor held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, rotorcraft helicopter, and instrument airplane and helicopter. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued June 30, 2016. He reported 5,154 total flight hours, with 160 hours in the accident helicopter make and model.
The student pilot had accumulated 35 total flight hours, all in the accident helicopter.
The helicopter, manufactured in 1965, was powered by a Lycoming HIO-360-A1A engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on September 1, 2016, at 4,749 total aircraft hours.
Post-Accident Examination
Weather conditions reported at Hanchey Army Heliport, 5 nautical miles south of the accident site, at 1653 included few clouds at 6,000 feet agl, 10 statute miles visibility, wind from 330° at 5 knots, temperature 33°C, dew point 19°C, and altimeter setting 29.96 inches of mercury.
Photographs of the wreckage showed the cockpit and fuselage largely intact, with the main rotor blades damaged and the tailboom severed. The helicopter was recovered to the operator's facility. On October 4, 2016, an engine start was attempted using the helicopter's own battery and starter under FAA supervision. The engine started immediately and ran smoothly until shut down by cockpit controls.