# NTSB ATL87LA256: Hughes 269A, N8709F, Morristown, TN, September 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1987, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Morristown, TN
- Coordinates: 36.210239, -83.290809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2102&lon=-83.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA256

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ONE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING HIS PROCEDURES FOR AUTOROTATIONS WITH POWER RECOVERY TO HIS EMPLOYER WHO WAS ALSO A CFI. THIS WAS TO INSURE STANDARDIZATION WITHIN THE HELICOPTER PILOT SCHOOL. THE AUTOROTATION WAS ENTERED FROM ABOUT 700 FEET AGL TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AT ABOUT 50 TO 60 FEET AGL, THE FLARE FOR LANDING WAS INITIATED AND POWER WAS APPLIED FOR THE RECOVERY. REPORTEDLY, THE APPLICATION OF POWER WAS TOO LATE FOR RECOVERY AND THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8709F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8709F-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N 111-0021, built 1961 (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: 111021
- Airframe hours: 2850
- Engines: LYCOMING HO-360-B1B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hal-Le-Copters,Inc.
- Registered owner: Donald F Francis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1987, 97 hours before
- Airport: MOR, Moore-Murrell

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,269 total, 95 in this make and model, 3,025 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 38 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 19870911051829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870911051829A), Sep 11, 1987: Hughes 269A, Morristown, TN, Substantial damage. Hard landing during a practice auto rotational landing attempt. Nose high altitude. Tail boom severed by main rotor

## Other investigations on N8709F (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 LAX70FUG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70FUG31), May 5, 1970: Hughes 269A (N8709F), Arlington, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX69F0137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0137), Aug 28, 1968: Hughes 269A (N8709F), Chula Vista, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.