Hughes 269B accident near Cook, Minnesota, June 15, 2008
On June 15, 2008 at about 1:22 am local time, a Hughes 269B (helicopter), registered N9357F, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Cook, Minnesota. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot not maintaining tail rotor effectiveness while turning in cruise.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2008 · about 1:22 am local time
- Place
- Cook, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269B · all 269Bs on the register
- Registration
- N9357F · no longer on the register · serial 0044
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he was cruising east in a helicopter. He made a 180 degree turn to the right, flew west for about 40 seconds, and made a 180 degree turn to right. The pilot reported that he rolled out of the turn, but the helicopter continued to turn right. He said that he landed flat, and the spinning helicopter rolled onto its right side. The helicopter was examined after the accident, and no preimpact anomalies were detected. The pilot's safety recommendation was, "Watch your airspeed when turning right so that your tail can still maintain control."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Roll over during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Rotorcraft flight control › Tail rotor control system › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,650 hours in all; 3,100 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,101 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Cook MN at 1:15 am
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N9357F the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.