GULF SHORES, AL, USA
N6612V
Cessna 172RG
N7480F
Hughes 269C
The Cessna 172RG and a Hughes 269 helicopter, collided about 150 feet above the ground on the final approach course for runway 9. The Cessna was on the final approach for landing on runway 9, while the helicopter was proceeding south southeast across the final approach course to land at a hangar on the south side of the airport. The helicopter pilot had just completed hovering practice on the north side of the airport, and had circled north northwest, west, south, and then headed southeast to the landing area. Based upon the reported damage, the helicopter main rotor contacted the left flap and horizontal stabilizer/elevator of the Cessna. The Cessna pilot stated he reported his position as he entered right base for runway 9, and as he turned onto final at 500 feet above ground. The Hughes pilot did not report making any radio transmissions. Both pilots stated they glimpsed the opposing aircraft just prior to the collision. Both pilots reported taking evasive action, which was ineffectual. The Cessna continued and was landed on the runway, while the helicopter pilot executed an autorotation and landed near the collision site.
On March 10, 1996, about 1540 central standard time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N6612V, and a Hughes 269C helicopter, N7480F, collided in-flight while on approach for landing on runway 9 at the Jack Edwards Airport Gulf Shores, Alabama. Both aircraft were being operated by the pilots under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. There were no injuries to the airline transport pilot of the Cessna, the commercial pilot of the Hughes, or the passengers. A flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight of either aircraft. Both aircraft had departed Gulf Shores earlier in the afternoon. The pilot of the Cessna reported entering right base for runway 9. He stated that he turned onto the final approach at an altitude of about 500 feet, and announced that position on the Unicom radio frequency, as he had announced his position upon entering base. About 150 feet above the ground he noticed the Hughes on his left side, coming toward him on a south-southeasterly heading. The Cessna pulled up and to the right. According to the pilot, the left flap and the left horizontal stabilizer were cut as a result of the collision. After the collision, the Cessna was landed on runway 9. The pilot of the helicopter reported that he had been hovering over the taxiway at the north end of runway 35 for about 20 minutes. During that time he had noted traffic using runway 35. He departed from the hover practice to the north northeast, to circle to the south for landing at T-hangars located on the south side of the airport. The helicopter pilot stated that as he crossed the approach course for runway 9, he saw the Cessna "just over and just behind me and to my right." Following the collision, the helicopter pilot landed just below the point of impact. The helicopter pilot did not report making any radio transmissions. He stated in his report that there was damage to two rotor blades, and the landing gear. Both pilots reported taking evasive action: the Cessna pilot pulling up and right, and the Hughes pilot turning left while attempting to descend.
The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout. A factor was the lack of position reports via radio by the pilot of the helicopter.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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