# Accident 20150721013249A: Hughes 269C, Atlanta, TX, July 21, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 21, 2015, 12:30 local time
- Place: Atlanta, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.1194° N, 94.1639° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1194&lon=-94.1639&mi=10
- Aircraft: N58397, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58397) (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: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,166 total, 75 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA15CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA197) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150721013249A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT AND HIS MECHANIC DEPARTED ATA AND LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA INSIDE ATLANTA, TX CITY LIMITS. UPON LANDING THE TAIL STRUCK THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX BROKE LOOSE FROM THE TAILBOOM, SPINNING 90 DEGREES BUT REMAINING ATTACHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITNESSED THE EVENT. WHEN HE ARRIVED THE PILOT INDICATED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIS TAIL ROTOR.  THE MECHANIC ON BOARD INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL ISSUES, AND THE PILOT HAD JUST DECIDED TO LAND AT THIS LOCATION. THE PILOT STATED TO THIS INSPECTOR THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL ISSUE AND THAT HE LANDED AT THIS LOCATION AS IT WAS NEAR HIS HOME.

## 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 GAA15CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA197), Jul 21, 2015: Hughes 269C (N58397), Atlanta, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The non-helicopter rated pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in impact with terrain.

## Other reports on N58397 (2)

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

- [Accident 19990901045989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990901045989A), Sep 1, 1999: Hughes 269C (N58397), Utica, NY, No damage. (-23) No narrative
- [Accident 19840702029719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840702029719A), Jul 2, 1984: Hughes 269C (N58397), Mount St Helens, WA, Destroyed. Lost engine rpms while trying to land on a ledge. Rolled off ledge on landing. Spark plugs defective and worn.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.