# NTSB ATL88LA161: Hughes 269C, N58197, Greenwood, SC, May 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1988, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, SC
- Coordinates: 34.190422, -82.150497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1904&lon=-82.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA161

## 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
  - throttle/power lever,cable - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - reduced (contributing factor)
  - flare - not possible (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DROP. SHORTLY AFTER HE TOOK OFF FROM AN OPEN FIELD. HE OPENED THE THROTTLE FURTHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN RPM BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ONTO A BLDG ROOF AS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND WHILE AVOIDING PWR LINES AND OTHER OBSTACLES. POST-CRASH EXAM REVEALED THAT THE THROTTLE-CABLE END-FITTING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE PUSHROD AT THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE FITTING AND PUSHROD JOINING THREADS REVEALED UNEVEN WEAR THAT HAD RESULTED FROM FRETTING. SERVICE NOTICE N-196 ISSUED BY THE MFR REQUIRES INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE FOR WEAR EVERY 100 OPERATING HRS. THE NOTICE WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH AT THE LAST INSPECTION 4 FLT HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT MAINT RECORDS, THE NOTICE WAS LAST COMPLIED WITH ABOUT 189 HRS EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58197](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58197-1989-12-19), registration cancelled 1989-12-19, S/N 680697 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 680697
- Airframe hours: 7766
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mid-States Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 1988, 4 hours before
- Destination: 8A6, CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,380 total, 2,573 in this make and model, 364 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880502012229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880502012229A), May 2, 1988: Hughes 269C, Greenwood, SC, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Crashed on top of a building on autorotation. Throttle cable separated. Not checked per bulletin

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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