# Accident 20051019026879A: Hughes 369D, Avalon, CA, October 19, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 19, 2005, 14:29 local time
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.4603° N, 118.5214° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4603&lon=-118.5214&mi=10
- Aircraft: N268ST, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N268ST-2018-03-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX06LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA015) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051019026879A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON 10/19/2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 1429 HRS PDT, A HUGHES 369D, N268ST, COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND CAME TO REST ON THE BEACH AT BIG GEIGER COVE, SANTA CATALINA ISLAND. THE FLIGHT OF TWO HELICOPTERS DEPARTED PALOMAR AIRPORT, CARSLBAD, CALIFORNIA ENROUTE TO SANTA CATALINA ISLAND FOR A VFT TOUR AROUND THE ISLAND. THE SECOND HELICOPTER, A BELL 206B, N22823 AND THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT N268ST DEPARTED PALOMAR AND FLEW NORTH UP THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA TO JUST NORTH OF THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT AND THEN CROSSED OVER THE OCEAN TO SANTA CATALINA ISLAND FOR A VFR TOUR OF THE ISLAND. THE FLIGHT TRACK ARRIVED AT SANTA CATALINA ISLAND AROUND THE TWIN HARBORS. THE FLIGHT THEN CONTINUED NORTH ALONG THE COAST. THE HUGHES HELICOPTER THEN TURNED INLAND AND AT APPROXIMATELY 400 AGL THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES. THE HELICOPTER MOVED BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AND THEN FELL TO THE CLIFF BELOW AND ULTIMATELY CAME TO REST ON THE BEACH AT BIG GEIGER COVE. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED, NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. REGARDING BLOCK 31 THIS OFFICE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN PILOT FLIGHT HISTORY.

## 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 LAX06LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA015), Oct 19, 2005: Hughes 369D (N268ST), Avalon, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Factors in the accident were the position of the sun…

## Other reports on N268ST (1)

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

- [Accident 20010923026969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010923026969A), Sep 23, 2001: Hughes 369D (N268ST), Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 23, 2001, about 1315 hours pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N268ST, operated by civic helicopters, inc., Carlsbad, California, made a…

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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