Hughes 369HS accident near Talladega, AL
On July 12, 1993, a Hughes 369HS (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Talladega, AL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 12, 1993
- Place
- Talladega, AL
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369HS · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.430°N, 86.091°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X12761
Official records · ATL93FA127
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 12, 1993, about 1455 central daylight time, a Hughes 369HS, N9116F, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a landing attempt at the Talladega Super Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. The private pilot was fatally injured, and his passenger received serious injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Birmingham, Alabama about 1415. Witnesses stated the aircraft approached the intended landing area from the south to the north at an altitude of about 50 feet. Once over the landing area, the aircraft began to descend very slowly from a 50 foot hover to approximately one foot above the terrain. At that point, the aircraft began to oscillate from side to side and then climbed to an altitude of approximately 25 feet. After climbing, the aircraft began to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. The aircraft then banked sharply to the left and impacted the terrain and a 10 foot fence adjacent to the original intended landing site. The right front seat passenger on the aircraft stated that the approach seemed to be normal until about 6 inches to one foot above the ground. He said that at that point the helicopter appeared to turn to the right approximately 30 degrees, and then rapidly ascended to a height above the power line poles. He stated that at that point, the ride became very violent, and he became scared. He recalled bracing his hands on the con
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO LAND DOWNWIND IN A CONFINED AREA THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE TAILWIND CONDITION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.
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Browse: Alabama · Hughes aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
