# Accident 19971014046019A: Hughes 269C, Grand Forks, ND, October 14, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 14, 1997, 21:26 local time
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Airport: Grand Forks-Mark Andrews International
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.9096° N, 97.0702° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9096&lon=-97.0702&mi=10
- Aircraft: N557DC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N557DC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer 269C (registry code 8059502, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI98LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971014046019A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY NIGHT FLIGHT OPERATION IN PREPARATION FOR HIS COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER RATING. HE DEPARTED GRAND FORKS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, GRAND FORKS, ND, FOR A PLANNED CROSS-COUNTRY, GFK-FSE-PKD-GFK.  HE THEN OMMITTED GOING TO FSE AND WENT GFK-PKD-GFK.  THIS WAS DONE WITHOUT THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR KNOWLEDGE.  IMPROPER PLANNING CAUSED A LOW FUEL SITUATION RESULTING IN A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WITH A WIRE STRIKE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI98LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA021), Oct 15, 1997: Schweizer 269C (N557DC), Grand Forks, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in a low fuel state, and his inability to see the wire which the helicopter contacted. Factors associated to the accident were the…

## Other reports on N557DC (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20180613007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180613007719A), Jun 13, 2018: Schweizer 269C (N557DC), North Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. On June 13, 2018 at approximately 1146 PST, at North Las Vegas airport (kvgt), a 1993 Schweizer 269C sustained substantial damage due to ground resonance. The…
- [Incident 20151003019329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151003019329I), Oct 3, 2015: Schweizer 269C (N557DC), Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. Helicopter conducted an aerial photo flight of another helicopter that was in flight. The pilot stated she had difficulty maintaining altitude and conducted a…
- [Incident 20081126854739I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081126854739I), Nov 26, 2008: Hughes 269C (N557DC), Miami, FL, No damage. (-23) During a 14CFR 141 training flight the instructor pilot heard a bang (pop) sound from engine and noticed an engine RPM drop. The engine was running rough…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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