# Accident 20090902018149A: Hughes 269C, Arapahoe, NE, September 2, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 2, 2009, 10:30 local time
- Place: Arapahoe, NE
- Airport: Arapahoe Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3001° N, 99.8904° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3001&lon=-99.8904&mi=10
- Aircraft: N58163, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58163-2018-03-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269C (registry code 4470504, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360*
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 595 total, 595 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN09LA558](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA558) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090902018149A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT WAS BEGINNING AN APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT AT 500 FEET AGL WHEN HE HEARD A BANK AND FELT VIBRATIONS.  HE ENTERED AN AUTO-ROTATION TOWARDS A FIELD EAST OF THE AIRFIELD.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR THAT WAS WITH HIM TOOK THE CONTROLS AT 250 FEET AGL BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND DECIDED TO COMPLETE THE AUTO.  DURING THE LANDING PHASE THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD HIT THE GROUND FIRST CAUSING ALL THREE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO CONTACT THE TAIL BOOM.  AFTER THE TAIL SECTON WAS SEVERED THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT 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 CEN09LA558](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA558), Sep 2, 2009: Hughes 269C (N58163), Arapahoe, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: A sudden vibration for undetermined reasons.

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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