# NTSB ATL87LA011: Hughes 269B, N9372F, Danville, KY, October 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1986, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Danville, KY
- Coordinates: 37.639591, -84.770339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6396&lon=-84.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT TO FILM THE COLOR CHANGE OF AUTUMN LEAVES, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. APRX 2 MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. THE HELICOPTER LOST MAIN ROTOR RPM PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9372F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B (269-B)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 87
- Airframe hours: 2062
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles E.Woodward
- Registered owner: Charles E. Woodward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1985, 62 hours before
- Departed: NICHOLASVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 81 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEX, 40 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 19861026056929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861026056929A), Oct 26, 1986: Hughes 269B, Danville, KY, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. The helicopter was damaged during the hard landing.

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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