# NTSB ATL81FLT08: Hughes 269C, N7487F, Ridgely, TN, May 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 3, 1981
- Place: Ridgely, TN · RIDGELY, TN
- Location: 36.2632° N, 89.4806° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ridgely, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2632&lon=-89.4806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FLT08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FLT08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0721   81/5/3    RIDGELY,TN          HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 46, 5000
        TIME - 1630                    N7487F              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 1174 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RIDGELY,TN                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: EN ROUTE TO RELOADING AREA
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1174                       KIND OF OPERATION - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        REMARKS- SPRAYING PREMERGE HERBICIDE (TREFLAN).
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7487F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7487F-2007-04-10), registration cancelled 2007-04-10, S/N 470589, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, 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 19810503032269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810503032269A), May 3, 1981: Hughes 269C, Ridgley, TN, Substantial damage. Engine quit at low altitude returning to base. Hard landing damaged helicopter. Engine problem unknown.

## Other investigations on N7487F (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 DFW05CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA168), Jun 23, 2005: Hughes 269C (N7487F), Bruceville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's improper flare during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factor was, the lack of suitable terrain.
- [NTSB MKC84LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA265), Aug 29, 1984: Hughes 269C (N7487F), Witts Springs, 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.

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