# Accident 20021218034469A: Hughes 269C, Losbanos, CA, December 18, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 18, 2002, 15:15 local time
- Place: Losbanos, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.0631° N, 120.8694° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0631&lon=-120.8694&mi=10
- Aircraft: N642KC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N642KC-2008-01-08) (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 LAX03LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA052) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021218034469A

## Narrative

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

(-23) AIRCRAFT WAS ON INITIAL MAINTENANCE CHECK FLIGHT AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF AN OVERHAULED ENGINE. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT, (LSN) THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT APPROX. 500FT. AGL. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER THAT REQUIRED AN AUTO-ROTATION/EMERGENCY LANDING. LANDING SITE WAS A SOFT/MUD FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH APPROX. 10 MPH FORWARD SPEED. THE SKID GEAR SETTLED INTO THE SOFT GROUND CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL INVERTED. (.19) ON DECEMBER 18, 2002, AT 1521 PACIFIC STANDARD TIME, A SCHWEIZER 269C, N642KC, EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ROLLED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A MUDDY FIELD AT LOS BANOS, CALIFORNIA. THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATED BY THE PILOT UNDER 14 CFR PART 91. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT LOS BANOS ABOUT 1500. THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WERE PERFORMING A POST MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT WHEN A VIBRATION OCCURRED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF TOTAL ENGINE POWER. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINAT                                                                ION REVEALED A FAILED EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER.

## 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 LAX03LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA052), Dec 18, 2002: Schweizer 269C (N642KC), Los Banos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper engine overhaul by other maintenance personnel, which resulted in an exhaust valve failure and a total loss of engine power while in maneuvering flight.

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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