# NTSB ATL86LA005: Hughes 269C, N7451F, Chapman, AL, October 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1985, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Chapman, AL
- Location: 31.6713° N, 86.7122° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chapman, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6713&lon=-86.7122&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA005

## 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, takeoff
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM A FIELD ADJACENT TO A GROVE OF TREES THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OVER THE TREES AND CRASHED INTO THEM. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN AND ALTHOUGH IT RAN ROUGH DURING INITIAL START UP IT LATER OPERATED NORMALLY AND THE REASON FOR THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7451F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7451F-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 660514, built 1976 (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
- Serial number: 660514
- Airframe hours: 4235
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Registered owner: Rotor Wing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 1985, 65 hours before
- Departed: CHAPMAN, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,167 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,095 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 60 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19851010071339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851010071339A), Oct 10, 1985: Hughes 269C, Chapman, AL, Destroyed. After maximum performance takeoff was unable to transition. Impacted trees. Ignition lead was bad.

## Other investigations on N7451F (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 IAD77FID18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FID18), May 5, 1977: Hughes 269 (N7451F), Richmond, VA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.