# NTSB ATL86LA141: Hughes 269A, N8889F, Daniels, WV, May 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1986, 21:05 local (May 29, 1986, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Daniels, WV
- Coordinates: 37.719726, -81.120422 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7197&lon=-81.1204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE NOTED A 'LARGE VIBRATION' AFTER HE HAD TAKEN OFF. HE SUSPECTED A PSBL BIRD STRIKE OR BEARING FAILURE, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO TREES. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG DID NOT FAIL; HOWEVER, WITNESSES SAW THE HELICOPTER FLYING AT LOW ALT BFR IT CRASHED & THEY THOUGHT THE ENG WAS LOSING POWER. APRX 1-1/2 QTS OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK. NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK OR SPILL WAS FOUND. A NUMBER OF MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIESWERE NOTED, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.14%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8889F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8889F-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 0264 (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: 264
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Public Electric Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1985, 6 hours before
- Departed: DANIELS, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 124 total, 124 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860528019919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860528019919A), May 28, 1986: Hughes 269A, Daniels, WV, Substantial damage. Crashed into trees after vibration was felt. Very poorly maintained aircraft. Pilot consumed alcohol. Out of fuel.

## Other investigations on N8889F (2)

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 CHI73DEC04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEC04), Aug 26, 1972: Hughes 269A (N8889F), Troy, MI, destroyed
- [NTSB CHI67A0088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67A0088), Jan 15, 1967: Hughes 269A (N8889F), W.Bloomfield, MI, 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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