# NTSB ATL86FA218: Hughes 269C, N7442F, Laurens, SC, August 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1986, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Laurens, SC
- Coordinates: 34.500434, -82.02053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5004&lon=-82.0205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - life expired (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - disregarded, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - inaccurate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - overspeed
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - separation
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - overspeed
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING AN UNDERGROUND CABLE PATROL AT 500-600 FT AGL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE PLT REPORTED PWR WAS SET AT 20' HG, 3,000 RPM WHEN A 'VERY LOUD POP' WAS HEARD. THE PLT LIKENED THE SOUND TO BEING HIT BY GROUND FIRE. THE ACFT YAWED AND THE ENG OVERSPED. AN AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED INTO AN ABANDONED MINING PIT. THE ACFT NOSED UP AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG WOULD RESPOND TO THROTTLE BUT THE MAIN ROTOR WOULD NOT FOLLOW PWR CHANGES. THE MAIN ROTOR TRANSMISSION TO HAVE A RING GEAR CARRIER FAILURE. AD 81-1704 AND RELATED SERVICE NOTICE CONCERNING THIS PART HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7442F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7442F-1989-09-14), registration cancelled 1989-09-14, S/N 460498 (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: 460498
- Airframe hours: 2157
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-01A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid-State/Executing Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 19, 1986, 94 hours before
- Departed: GRD, GREENWOOD, SC
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 160 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860811039419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860811039419A), Aug 11, 1986: Hughes 269C, Laurens, SC, Destroyed. The helicopter flipped over during an emergency landing. Ring gear carrier failed. AD not complied with.

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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