Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E accident near Winnsboro, South Carolina, October 19, 2009
On October 19, 2009 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, registered N502SL, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Winnsboro, South Carolina (Fairfield County Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor's failure to monitor the simulated emergency procedure, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the intentional throttle application by one of the flightcrew.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 2009 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Winnsboro, South Carolina · Fairfield County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- N502SL · registry record · serial 0244E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an instructional flight while in a three-foot hover, the certified flight instructor (CFI) applied right anti-torque pedal input with the intention of simulating loss of tail rotor thrust while in a hover. The student correctly reduced throttle and both occupants agree that the helicopter contacted the ground. While neither occupant agrees as to who applied throttle control, throttle control input was applied and the helicopter became airborne with slow main rotor rpm. The CFI took the controls and attempted to cushion the landing, but the helicopter landed hard. There were no reported preimpact failures or malfunctions. After the accident the engine was placed in a test cell and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction.
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
- Simulated/training event during maneuvering (hover)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Instructor/check pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Flight crew
Flight instructor
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,150 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 2,050 as pilot in command; 175 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,766 hours in all; 362 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 859 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 25, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,961 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2SC6 Columbia SC at 6:00 pm
- Destination: FDW Winnsboro SC
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from FDW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
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.