# NTSB ATL81FLA02: Hughes 269B, N9557F, Valdosta, GA, March 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: March 1, 1981
- Place: Valdosta, GA · VALDOSTA, GA
- Location: 30.8327° N, 83.2785° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valdosta, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8327&lon=-83.2785&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FLA02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FLA02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0266   81/3/1  NR.VALDOSTA,GA        HUGHES 269B         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 1118
        TIME - 1900                    N9557F              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 4 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VALDOSTA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LAKE CITY,FL                ATLANTA,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - SUDDEN WINDSHIFT
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  6000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     TAIL WIND 158-202 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           67                                                      220
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           11                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- STARTED SPINNING DRG DOWNWIND TURN.AUTOROTATED TO STOP SPIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9557F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9557F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 890440, built 1970 (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
- Airport: Valdosta

## 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 19810301007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810301007929A), Mar 1, 1981: Hughes 269B, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control of helicopter during hover downwind turn. Made hard landing.

## Other investigations on N9557F (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 MIA71FLD48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FLD48), Feb 25, 1971: Hughes 269B (N9557F), Tampa, FL, 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.

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