# NTSB ATL85LA259: Hughes 269C, N9280F, Elizabethtown, KY, August 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1985, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Elizabethtown, KY
- Coordinates: 37.700584, -85.870613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7006&lon=-85.8706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA259

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FROM OFF AIRPORT LANDING ZONE, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RANINSHOWERS AND THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE LANDING ZONE. VISIBILITY WAS SUCH THAT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE GROUND AND THE TAILROTOR CONTACTED A LAKE ADJACENT TO THE LANDING ZONE. THE HELICOPTER REPORTEDLY THEN SANK IN THE LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9280F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9280F-1993-03-23), registration cancelled 1993-03-23, S/N 540305 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 540305
- Airframe hours: 6887
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-DIA 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1985, 15 hours before
- Destination: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Airport: Freeman Pk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,835 total, 1,707 in this make and model, 1,682 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FTK

## 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 19850825041339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850825041339A), Aug 25, 1985: Hughes 269C, Elizabethtown, KY, Substantial damage. Entered heavy rain shower and bubble fogged up. Descended until tail rotor contacted a lake. Aircraft sank.

## Other investigations on N9280F (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 BFO91LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA014), Nov 15, 1990: Hughes 269C (N9280F), Louisville, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD.

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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