Accident Details
On 5 April 1999 at 1539 UTC, a Hughes 269C helicopter, registration G-BBIV, was involved in an accident at Biggin Hill Airport, Kent. The aircraft was performing a private training flight with two pilots on board. The instructor, aged 30, held a Commercial Pilot's Licence (H) with an Instructor Rating and had accumulated 1,479 total flying hours, including 835 hours on type.
Sequence of Events
The instructor planned to demonstrate an engine-off landing following a simulated engine failure during the climb after takeoff. After departure into a surface wind of 240° at 9 knots, at an airspeed of 55 knots, the instructor reduced the throttle to idle at 250 feet above ground level and entered autorotation. As the helicopter descended, the instructor observed that the ground speed was lower than expected and moved the cyclic control forward to increase airspeed, aiming to ensure adequate control during the flare.
The flare was initiated at approximately 50 feet above ground level, but the control inputs appeared to have minimal effect. The instructor then raised the collective lever to cushion the landing, but this action was insufficient to prevent a heavy ground impact. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, but both pilots were uninjured.
Damage and Injuries
The helicopter suffered substantial damage. The two pilots on board reported no injuries.