Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW96LA375

FRISCO, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N9558F

Hughes 269B

Analysis

According to the operator, the pilot requested to rent a helicopter. He showed the operator his pilot certificate and flight log book; however, the operator did not record this information nor obtain a current address and telephone number. The pilot was not given a check out in the helicopter prior to the accident flight. The operator observed the pilot hover the helicopter, takeoff and depart the traffic pattern. The operator subsequently received a telephone call from the pilot stating he had landed the helicopter 'hard' at the North Dallas Jetport, which was under construction, and requested to be pick up. When the operator arrived at the North Dallas Jetport, he found the helicopter on its side, and the pilot could not be located. Injury is presumed. There were no reported eye witnesses to this accident. The FAA has no record of the named pilot having either an airman or a medical certificate. .

Factual Information

On September 1, 1996, about 1730 central daylight time, a Hughes 269B helicopter, N9558F, registered to C and J Communications Inc., and operated by Addison Helicopters as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Frisco, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot was reported as not injured. The local flight originated from Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to the operator, the pilot requested to rent a helicopter. He showed the operator his pilot certificate and flight log book; however, the operator did not record this information nor obtain a current address and telephone number. The pilot was not given a check out in the helicopter prior to the accident flight; however, the operator observed the pilot hover the helicopter, takeoff and depart the traffic pattern. The operator received a telephone call from the pilot stating he had landed the helicopter "hard" at the North Dallas Jetport, which was under construction, and requested to be pick up. When the operator arrived at the North Dallas Jetport, he found the helicopter on its side, and the pilot could not be located. There were no reported eye witnesses to this accident. Examination of the helicopter by a FAA inspector on September 5, 1996, at the Wills Point Airport revealed that all main rotor blades were damaged, the skid tubes and their fuselage attaching mounts were fractured, the tail rotor drive shaft was twisted nearly 180 degrees, and the tail rotor was damaged. The FAA has no record of the named pilot having either an airman or a medical certificate.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper touchdown procedure.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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