LINCOLN PARK, NJ, USA
N3TL
HUGHES 269B
THE PILOT BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A LOW HOVER. IN THE HOVER, THE PILOT LOST VISUAL REFERENCE AND ENTERED A RIGHT TURN, ROTATING 270 DEGREES PRIOR TO THE PILOT INITIATING CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE HELICOPTER ROTATED ANOTHER 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT PRIOR TO TOUCHING DOWN. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT SKID BROKE OFF AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED PRIOR TO SUNRISE AND THE PILOT HAD A MECHANIC SHINE A FLASHLIGHT ON THE DUAL TACH FOR ILLUMINATION. THERE WERE MINIMAL OUTSIDE REFERENCES. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT SAID HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, HOWEVER, HE DID NOT ROLL OFF THE THROTTLE OR USE FULL LEFT PEDAL. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE HELICOPTER.
AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DURING A HOVER DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPLETELY USE THE MINIMAL VISUAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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