# NTSB ATL86LA069: Hughes 269B, N9374F, Council, NC, February 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1986, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Council, NC
- Location: 34.3455° N, 77.3850° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WILMINGTON INTL (ILM), within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3455&lon=-77.3850&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA069

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A CONTROL BURNING OPERATION, THE PLT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENG FAILURE. THE PLT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE ENG EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE #4 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE CRACKING NEAR THE CRANKSHAFT AND INSERT CONNECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9374F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9374F), registered now, S/N 54-0086, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 54-0086
- Airframe hours: 3903
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 137
- Operator: Raymond Godwin,Jr., doing business as Godwin Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1986, 6 hours before
- Airport: ILM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,076 total, 821 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °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 19860204002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860204002199A), Feb 4, 1986: Hughes 269B, Council, NC, Destroyed. Piston connecting rod failed in flight. Engine quit running. Impacted trees during autorotation.

## Other investigations on N9374F (3)

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 ATL82DA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA256), Aug 28, 1982: Hughes 269B (N9374F), Angier, NC, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX66A0050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66A0050), Dec 30, 1965: Hughes 269B (N9374F), Bakersfield, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK65X1043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1043), Dec 18, 1964: Hughes 269B (N9374F), Davis, CA, 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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