WRIGHTSVILLE BC, NC, USA
N4265P
HUGHES 369HS
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF IN A 10 KT WIND AND STARTED A CLIMB OVER WATER. REPORTEDLY, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AS IT REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT AGL AND 20 KTS. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO ROTATE UNTIL HE REACHED A LANDFALL, SOME 200 TO 500 FT AWAY. THEN HE MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING INTO A MARSHY AREA. WHILE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER SETTLED ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE TAKEOFF APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSMISSION, MAIN ROTOR, TAIL ROTOR CONTROLS AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. ACCORDING TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS, THE HELICOPTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTROLLABLE FOR EITHER TAKEOFF OR HOVER IN THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS REPORTED TO BE 95 DEG.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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