# NTSB ATL88FA168: Hughes 269A, N1038Y, Ozark, AL, May 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1988, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Ozark, AL
- Coordinates: 31.430667, -85.640365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4307&lon=-85.6404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,alignment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - run on landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LEFT MAGNETO. HE REINSTALLED IT AND TIMED IT WITH THE RIGHT MAGNETO. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE FOUND TO HAVE ADVANCED TIMING. INTERNAL EXAMINATION SHOWED DISCREPANCIES WHICH WOULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND ATTEMPTED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BACKUP AUTOROTATION TO A RUN-ON LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE VERTICAL DESCENT WAS STOPPED, HOWEVER, THE FORWARD VELOCITY WAS NOT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELO SLID THROUGH A DITCH. COLLISION WITH THE FAR SIDE OF THE DITCH RESULTED IN FATAL IMPACT FORCES TRANSMITTED TO THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1038Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1038Y-2011-06-08), registration cancelled 2011-06-08, S/N 660583/64-18227, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 660583
- Airframe hours: 4034
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Dale County Sheriff
- Registered owner: Bill Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: 71J, OZARK, AL
- Destination: 1J0, BONIFAY, FL
- Airport: 71J

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,856 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 10 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 19880509013679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880509013679A), May 9, 1988: Hughes 269A, Ozark, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost engine power on climbout, descended tail first. Yawed to the right and crashed into rough terrain.

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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