# NTSB ATL82DA226: Hughes 269A, N8801F, Wetumpka, AL, August 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1982, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Wetumpka, AL
- Location: 32.5420° N, 86.2053° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wetumpka, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5420&lon=-86.2053&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,fuel control - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT THE END OF A SPRAY RUN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED TO ZERO, THE AIRSPEED WAS ZERO, AND HE ESTABLISHED AN AUTOROTATION. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON ROUGH HILLY TERRAIN, BOUNCED AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. LATER, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED, A CRACK WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SERVO UNIT ADJACENT TO THE MIXTURE ADJUSTMENT. REPORTEDLY, THIS CRACK WOULD HAVE ADMITTED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF AIR INTO THE SERVO UNIT AND WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8801F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8801F-1984-07-11), registration cancelled 1984-07-11, S/N 112-0135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 112-0135
- Airframe hours: 4373
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: John H. Johnston
- Registered owner: John H. Johnston
- Departed: WETUMPKA, AL
- Destination: WETUMPKA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 225 total, 167 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °F

## 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 19820802034009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820802034009A), Aug 2, 1982: Hughes 269A, Wetumpka, AL, Substantial damage. Helicopter engine quit during spraying operation and crash occurred during autorotation.

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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