# NTSB ATL87FA071: Hughes 269A, N3782B, Buford, GA, February 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1987, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Buford, GA
- Coordinates: 34.109313, -83.990005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1093&lon=-83.9900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA071

## 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
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - disconnected (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, other maintenance personnel
  - inadeq method of compliance determination rcrdkpng, faa(organization)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - autorotation - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO SLOW DOWN OVER THE PARKING LOT THEN CONTINUED OUT OVER THE LAKE. A PUFF OF SMOKE WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE REAR OF THE ENGINE AREA AND THE HELICOPTER FISHTAILED AS IT ALMOST CAME TO A STOP THEN DROPPED INTO THE WATER NOSE FIRST. IT SANK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. THE FRACTURE SURFACES INDICATED AN INTERNAL TO EXTERNAL PUCTURE. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF A ROD CAP BOLT AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE ROD FROM THE CRANKSHAFT. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE WAS OBSERVED. THE PILOT WAS A LOW TIME HELICOPTER PILOT WHO COULD NOT SWIM AND WAS AFRAID OF THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3782B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S/N750348
- Airframe hours: 4338
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-BIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Metro Flight Services,Inc.
- Registered owner: Metro Flight Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 29, 1986, 55 hours before
- Departed: GVL, GAINESVILLE, GA
- Destination: CUMMING, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,360 total, 59 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 25 nm away

## 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 19870213002699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870213002699A), Feb 13, 1987: Hughes 269A, Buford, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed in lake from slow forward speed at low altitude. Found number three connecting rod broken.

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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