# Accident 20110712013679A: Hughes 269C, Wenatchee, WA, July 12, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 12, 2011, 09:05 local time
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.3419° N, 120.2381° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3419&lon=-120.2381&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3623Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3623Z-2013-10-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269C (registry code 4470504, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 150 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR11LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA325) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110712013679A

## Narrative

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

DURING HELICOPTER CHERRY DRYING OPERATIONS A 1984 HU-269 SETTLED INTO THE TREES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND MINOR INJURIES TO THE TWO OCCUPANTS.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD LOST POWER PRIOR TO CRASHING INTO THE TREES. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION PERFORMED BY AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS WITH THE PORTLAND, OREGON FSDO REVEALED NO MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES WITH THE ENGINE TO INCLUDE VALVES, SPARKPLUGS, AND MAGNETOS AND FUEL SYSTEM.  THE PILOT STATED HE HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT THEREFORE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SITUATION KNOW AS "SETTLING WITH POWER".

## 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 WPR11LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA325), Jul 12, 2011: Hughes 269C (N3623Z), Wenatchee, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling into trees.

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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