# NTSB ATL87LA023: Hughes 269C, N9665F, Eden, NC, November 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1986, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Eden, NC
- Coordinates: 36.500576, -79.739746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5006&lon=-79.7397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication
  - maintenance,calibration - not performed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - wire,transmission
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PILOT RELATED THAT HE HAD PLACED THE HELICOPTER AT TRIAD FOR A 50 HOUR INSPECTION. AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY DEFUELED TO DRY TANK. SIX DAYS LATER FUEL TRUCK LOG SHOWS AIRCRAFT REFUELED WITH 23.2 GALLONS AS PAYBACK. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION FURNISHED BY OWNER AND TRIAD, THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATED FOR A TOTAL OF 1 HOUR AND 25 MINUTES AT VARIOUS POWER SETTINGS. OWNER/PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON BASE LEG THE ENGINE SHUT OFF LIKE TURNING SWITCH OFF. DURING AUTROROTATION, HAD TO BLEED OFF ROTOR ENERGY TO CLEAR TREES. AFTER CLEARING TREES SAW ABANDONED POWER LINES. THOUGHT HAD HIT LINES WITH BOTTOM OF SKID. TOUCHED DOWN IN PLOWED FIELD AND ROLLED OVER. PILOT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK FUEL AFTER LANDING BUT SAW NO LEAKS. FAA INSPECTOR ADDED 5 GALLONS OF FUEL TO DRY TANKS AFTER RECOVERY AND RAN ENGINE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. SHUT DOWN DUE TO CRACK IN FUEL LINE WHICH WAS CRIMPED. INSPECTOR INDICATED CRIMP WAS IMPACT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9665F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9665F), registered now, S/N 110088, built 1971 (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: 110088
- Airframe hours: 2638
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Metropolitan Roofing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: INT, WINSTON-SALEM, NC
- Destination: NC14, EDEN, NC
- Airport: NC14, Shiloh

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 21 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 19861119058499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861119058499A), Nov 19, 1986: Hughes 269C, Eden, NC, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the helicpoter rolled over on landing. Fuel quantity gauge malfunctioned

## Other investigations on N9665F (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 ATL80FLT07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FLT07), May 3, 1980: Hughes 269C (N9665F), Martin, TN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC76FCA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCA10), Oct 3, 1975: Hughes 269C (N9665F), Cape Girardeau, MO, 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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