# NTSB ATL80DLA13: Hughes 269B, N9303F, Meigs, GA, September 3, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 3, 1980
- Place: Meigs, GA · MEIGS, GA
- Location: 31.0718° N, 84.0927° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Meigs, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0718&lon=-84.0927&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL80DLA13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80DLA13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2804   80/9/3    MEIGS,GA            HUGHES 269B         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 1850
        TIME - 1220                    N9303F              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 430 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MEIGS,GA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - MISCELLANEOUS UNITS AND ASSEMBLIES: TAIL BOOMS/PYLONS/CONES
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: LONGERON
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
                                  AIRFRAME BUFFET
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  300                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - BEANS                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -ROLLING
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  3000                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- PLT NOTED HI FREQ VIB.LWR L LONGERON FITTING,PN 269A223,FAILED.SVRL AD'S NCW.TAIL RTR FK BRG WORN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9303F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9303F-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 113-0005, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800903039629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800903039629A), Sep 3, 1980: Hughes 269B, Meigs, GA, Substantial damage. Vibration in flight. Landed, tail boom fell off. Boom fitting failed from worn out tail rotor bearing vibration.

## Other investigations on N9303F (2)

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 ATL86LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA044), Dec 18, 1985: Hughes 269B (N9303F), Stone Mountain, GA, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW67A0001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0001), Jul 1, 1966: Hughes 269B (N9303F), Little Rock, AR, substantial damage

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.

---
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.