A HUGHES 269 WENT OUT OF CONTROL AFTER TURNING LEFT INTO A 20 KT TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENG WAS RUN ON A ENG TEST STAND AND NO DEFICIENTCIES WERE FOUND. A FUEL SAMPLE WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFIED PARAMETERS. AC 61-13B STATES 'HOVERING TURNS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN WINDS STRONG ENOUGH TO PRECLUDE SUFFICIENT AFT CYCLIC CONTROL TO MAINTAIN THE HELICOPTER ON SELECTED SURFACE REFERENCE POINT WHEN HEADED DOWNWIND. CHECK THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT MANUAL FOR MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS LIMITATION.' 'HOVERING POWER REQUIRES A LARGE AMOUNT OF LEFT PEDAL TO MAINTAIN HEADING. SUFFICIENT LEFT PEDAL IN EXCESS OF THIS AMOUNT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT AN UNCONTROLLED TURN TO THE RIGHT ONCE THE TURN HAS BEGUN.' THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE HUGHES MODEL 269C STATES THAT 'CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE IN 20 MPH (17.4 KTS) WINDS FROM ANY DIRECTION.' THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 080 DEG AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 29 KTS.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

LANDING GEAR..OVERLOAD

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..HIGH WIND

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..TAILWIND

Contributing Factors

WIND INFORMATION..NOT UNDERSTOOD..PILOT IN COMMAND

Contributing Factors

OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..PILOT IN COMMAND

Contributing Factors

ROTOR RPM..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND

Contributing Factors

OVERCONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY..PILOT IN COMMAND

Index for Apr1986 | Index of months