# Accident 20030728036749A: Hughes 269C, Melba, ID, July 28, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 28, 2003, 12:30 local time
- Place: Melba, ID
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.3156° N, 116.5097° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3156&lon=-116.5097&mi=10
- Aircraft: N171FF, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N171FF-2018-01-11) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269C (registry code 4470504, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Reported engine: LYC IO360D1A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 251 total, 45 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA158) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030728036749A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT WAS HEADING NORTH AT TWO FEET ABOVE CORN STALKS AT 30 KTS, AND STARTED A CYCLIC CLIMB TO GAIN ALTITUDE, LOOKING FOR WIRES ALIGNED AT NORTH END OF FIELD RUNNING EAST AND WEST. ABOUT 30-45 DEGREES INTO A RIGHT PEDAL TURN, THE PILOT SAW WIRES AT EYE LEVEL AND STOPPED THE PEDAL TURN, APPLYING RIGHT FORWARD CYCLIC. HE FELT A SLIGHT CYCLIC SHUDDER AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SINK. HE APPLIED FORWARD CYCLIC AND ADDITIONAL THROTTLE TO GAIN SPEED AND MINIMIZE THE DESCENT RATE. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE GROUND, THE PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC TO BRING THE NOSE UP AND PUMPED THE COLLECTIVE TO STOP THE DESCENT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE RIGHT SKID APPARENTLY MADE GROUND (OR CORN) CONTACT SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER RIGHT AS THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT, COMING TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE.

## 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 SEA03LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA158), Jul 28, 2003: Hughes 269C (N171FF), Melba, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor rpm. Factors contributing to the accident were the corn crop, and the pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid…

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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