# Accident 20100920047219A: Hughes 269C, Schaumburg, IL, September 20, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 20, 2010, 17:20 local time
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Airport: Schaumburg Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.9892° N, 88.1011° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9892&lon=-88.1011&mi=10
- Aircraft: N34LB, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34LB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269C (registry code 4470504, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A (registry code 41893, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-d1a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN10LA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA560) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100920047219A

## Narrative

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

THIS WAS THE THIRD FLIGHT OF THE DAY.  THE STUDENT PILOT PERFORMED THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.  THE STUDENT PILOT WAS RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION. AS SOON AS THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE MOBILE CART TO A GROUND HOVER THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED STRONG VIBRATION AND SHAKING.  THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK COMMAND OF THE CONTROLS AND EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN SPUN APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE BOLT ATTACHING THE LH TAILBOOM SUPPORT STRUT TO THE AFT CLUSTER FITTING HAD FALLEN OUT.  THE ADB221-1 ADJUSTABLE BOLT THAT FELL OUT WAS PART OF AN APPROVED MODFICATION FOR SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT AFT CLUSTER KIT (SA 269-K-106) THAT WAS INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT 06/01/2010. LOSS OF THE BOLT RESULTED IN THE TAILBOOM PARTIALLY SEPARATING FROM THE FUSELAGE AND WAS DESTROYED.THE BOLT AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE WAS RECOVERED AT THE SITE. THE SELF LOCKING NUT THAT WAS RECOVERED HAD ZERO DRAG TORQUE.  TWO MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED DUE TO FOD DURING THE EVENT.THE AIRCRAFT OWNER WAS ADVISED TO SUBMIT A SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORT (SDR).

## 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 CEN10LA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA560), Sep 20, 2010: Schweizer 269C (N34LB), Schaumburg, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of the left aft cluster fitting assembly following the loss of torque on the lock nut due to a manufacturing defect.

## Other reports on N34LB (2)

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

- [Incident 20140823015829I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140823015829I), Aug 23, 2014: Hughes 269C (N34LB), Hanover Park, IL, Minor damage. During cruise flight the pilot noticed engine RPM was lower than expected. The pilot rolled on power but RPM did not increase. The pilot initiated an…
- [Incident 20120421006789I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120421006789I), Apr 21, 2012: Hughes 269C (N34LB), Schaumburg, IL, Minor damage. Tail rotor and vertical stabilizer struck landing dolly during lift off.

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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