Aviation Accident Summary LAX90LA210

PASO ROBLES, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N691RR

HUGHES 269B

Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS FLYING UP A VALLEY IN ROLLING HILL CONTRY AND ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE AND SUDDEN GUST OF WIND AS THE HELICOPTER FLEW OVER A RIDGE LINE AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE PILOT SAID THE WIND GUST WAS ACCCOMPANIED BY STRONG TURBULENCE AND A SEVERE DOWN DRAFT. THE PILOT SAID THE HELICOPTER WAS FORCED DOWNWARD INTO THE GROUND AND HE WAS ABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT AND MAKE A NORMAL SOFT TOUCH DOWN ON THE CREST OF THE RIDGE. THE PILOT SAID THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE JUST AFTER TOUCH DOWN.

Probable Cause and Findings

THIS ACCIDENT WAS DYNAMIC ROLLOVER DUE TO THE TERRAIN SLOPE EXCEEDING THE CAPABILITY OF THE HELICOPTER.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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