# Accident 20031110029139A: Hughes 269B, IN, November 10, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 10, 2003, 16:59 local time
- Place: IN
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.2667° N, 85.7333° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2667&lon=-85.7333&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1093D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1093D-2012-07-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269B (registry code 4470502, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI04LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031110029139A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WITNESS REPORTED THE HELICOPTER FLEW NORTHBOUND AT LOW LEVEL OVER SIX MILE ISLAND. ONCE CLEAR OF THE ISLAND'S TREES, THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AT AN ANGLE OF APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 DEGREES UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE OHIO RIVER ADJACENT TO JEFFERSONVILLE, IN. THE WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING AND HEARING NOTHING THAT SUGGESTED THE HELICOPTER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE IMPACTING THE RIVER. POLICE WHO INTERVIEWED THE PILOT AND HIS FEMALE PASSENGER AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT SMELLED ALCOHOL ON THE BREATH OF BOTH AND OBSERVED PHYSICAL INDICATIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. ACTING UPON PROBABLE CAUSE, THE POLICE REQUESTED BLOOD ALCOHOL TESTS BE ADMINISTERED AT THE HOSPITAL TO WHICH BOTH WERE TRANSPORTED. THE RESULTS OF THOSE TESTS ARE UNKNOWN AS OF THIS DATE. A SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER FOUND NO OBVIOUS MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. IN STATEMENTS MADE TO THE POLICE, BOTH THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN FLYING THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE TRIM SWITCH WAS IN THE CO-PILOT POSITION. THE PASSENGER SAID SHE WAS HANDLING THE CONTROLS AND SOMETHING WENT WRONG...SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT...AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED. THIS INVESTIGATION COULD NOT DETERMINE WHO WAS MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS BECAUSE NEITHER THE PILOT NOR THE PASSENGER WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

## 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 CHI04LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA030), Nov 10, 2003: Hughes 269B (N1093D), Louisville, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper in-flight decision to allow the passenger to manipulate the aircraft flight controls, his failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the river, and his inadequate remedial…

## Other reports on N1093D (1)

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

- [Accident 19800806034889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800806034889A), Aug 6, 1980: Hughes 269B (N1093D), Woodville, LA, Substantial damage. Hovered near ground in dusty area. Engine heated, lost rotor RPM. Rotors hit tree obscured by dust trying to land.

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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