PANAMA CITY, FL, USA
N129BC
McDonnell Douglas H369
The pilot-in-command (PIC) was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation with turn to a certified flight instructor (CFI). He entered the maneuver at about 900 feet agl, and a flare was initiated at about 50 feet agl. Initial collective pitch application was made at about 10 feet agl, and cushioning collective pitch was made at about 2 to 3 feet agl. The helicopter touched down slightly nose high, slid forward, and started to turn to the right. The PIC applied aft cyclic to the left and heard a loud noise as the helicopter came to a stop. The CFI felt the cyclic being moved rearward, but made no attempt to take the flight controls from the PIC. Visual examination of the helicopter revealed the main rotor blades had collided with the tailboom assembly.
On July 21, 1995, about 1026 central daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas H369, N129BC, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 public-use training flight, crashed on landing at the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, Panama City, Florida. The helicopter was originally a U.S. military OH-6A. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, and commercial pilot flight instructor were not injured. The flight originated about 1 hour 26 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he initiated a 180-degree touchdown autorotation with turn at about 900 feet agl to runway 23. A flare was initiated at about 50 feet agl. Initial collective pitch application was made at about 10 feet agl, and cushioning collective pitch application was made at about 2 to 3 feet agl. The helicopter touched down slightly nose high, slid forward, and started to turn to the right. He applied aft cyclic to the left, and heard a loud noise as the helicopter came to a stop. He completed an emergency engine shutdown, exited the helicopter, and observed that the main rotor blades had collided with the tailboom assembly.
The pilot-in-command's improper aft application of cyclic control during a simulated touchdown autorotation on landing flare touchdown, resulting in the main rotor blades colliding with the tail boom assembly. Contributing to the accident was the improper supervision of the pilot-in-command by the check pilot.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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