# NTSB ATL88LA215: Hughes 269C, N42JW, Lawrenceville, GA, April 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1988, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceville, GA
- Location: 33.9529° N, 83.9922° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lawrenceville, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9529&lon=-83.9922&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA215

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, dual student
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, dual student
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED A SIM ENGINE FAILURE DURING CLIMB AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, AS PART OF THE RECURRENCY FLIGHT. THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL, THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED AND THE THROTTLE WAS ROLLED IN TO ARREST THE DESCENT. ACCORDING TO THE CHECK PLT, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND, AND A FLARE WAS INITIATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE HELO. THE HELO SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A TAIL-LOW ATTITUDE AND ROLLED OVER. THE PVT PLT NOTED THAT HE & THE INSTRUCTOR HAD PERFORMED 3 PRIOR SIM ENGINE FAILURES SHORTLY BEFORE, AND HAD EXECUTED A POWERED RECOVERY TO A HOVER AFTER EACH MANEUVER. EXAM OF THE HELO REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE FUEL-INJECTED ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMAL AFTER 3-4 START ATTEMPTS, AND RESPONDED TO THROTTLE INPUTS IN A NORMAL MANNER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42JW-1990-08-22), registration cancelled 1990-08-22, S/N 521 (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: 0521
- Airframe hours: 4134
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mid State/Executive Helcopter
- Registered owner: Mid-State/Executive Helic.Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 05GA, NORCROSS, GA
- Airport: 17A, Gwinnett County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,025 total, 564 in this make and model, 840 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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