# NTSB ANC85LA129: Hughes H-269B, N9434F, Northway, AK, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1985, 18:15 local (Jul 17, 1985, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Northway, AK
- Coordinates: 63.000778, -141.690734 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0008&lon=-141.6907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA129

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (cause)
  - run on landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED AND AFTER LIFTOFF BEGAN LOSING POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THE ENGINE CHANGED SOUND DISTINCTIVELY TO A REDUCED POWER. HE ATTEMPTED LANDING ON A DOWNSLOPE AND TOUCHED DOWN WITH 5 TO 10 KNOTS OF FORWARD SPEED. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL CONTROLLER REVEALED DIRT AND DEBRIS BETWEEN THE CONTROLLER DIAPHRAMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9434F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES H-269B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45-0186
- Airframe hours: 1020
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: High Tech Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: NORTHWAY, AK
- Destination: AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,650 total, 665 in this make and model, 2,450 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850716034999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716034999A), Jul 16, 1985: Hughes 269B, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff, nosed over on downhill landing. Air side of fuel controller diaphram fouled by sand, metal.

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.

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