# NTSB ATL83LA246: Hughes 269A, N8835F, Gastonia, NC, June 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1983, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Gastonia, NC
- Coordinates: 35.280921, -80.970359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2809&lon=-80.9704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA246

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - throttle/power lever,cable - stripped thread (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE AT 500 FT AGL, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER & WENT TO IDLE RPM. DURING AN AUTOROTATION TO THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERED OVER A POWER LINE, THEN UNDER ANOTHER LINE. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER SLID INTO SOME BUSHES & A SMALL TREE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND EXCEPT ALONG THE HIGHWAY. THE THREADS IN THE END OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY WERE STRIPPED. THIS ALLOWED THE ENG TO GO TO IDLE RPM. THE CABLE, PN 267A-4683-3, HAD ACCUMULATED 770 HRS SINCE INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8835F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8835F), registered now, S/N 0198, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0198
- Airframe hours: 1376
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: North Carolina Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1982, 52 hours before
- Departed: 0A6, GASTONIA, NC
- Destination: CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 844 total, 844 in this make and model, 795 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 6 nm away

## 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 19830630027589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830630027589A), Jun 30, 1983: Hughes 269A, Gastonia, NC, Substantial damage. Engine went to idle enroute. Autorotated onto highway shoulder. Slid into trees. Throtte control stripped threads.

## Other investigations on N8835F (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 NYC67A0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0097), Jan 2, 1967: Hughes 269A (N8835F), Trenton, NJ, 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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