# NTSB ATL88LA249: Hughes 269A, N8823F, Saluda, SC, September 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1988, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, SC
- Coordinates: 34.000812, -81.76905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0008&lon=-81.7690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA249

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT REPORTED THAT THEY WERE CONDUCTING AUTOROTATION TRAINING. DURING AN AUTOROTATION THE CREW DELAYED INITIATING THE POWER RECOVERY. THE HELICOPTERS STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOTS DID NOT REPORT EXPERIENCING A SYSTEM PROBLEM OR MALFUNCTION.THE STUDENT PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. HIS TOTAL HELICOPTER TIME WAS 45 HRS WITH 21 AS PIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8823F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8823F), registered now, S/N 0167 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 230167
- Airframe hours: 1284
- Engines: LYCOMING HO-360-C2D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: South East Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Southeast Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1988, 13 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,184 total, 355 in this make and model, 992 as pilot in command, 372 in the last 90 days, 165 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- 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 19880905063729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880905063729A), Sep 5, 1988: Hughes 269A, Saluda, SC, Substantial damage. Failed to make a power recovery after a practice autorotation. Helicopter hit ground. Rotors chopped tail boom.

## Other investigations on N8823F (3)

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 CHI76DEC11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76DEC11), Sep 14, 1975: Hughes 269A (N8823F), Howell, MI, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC75FCD29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCD29), Dec 30, 1974: Hughes 269A (N8823F), Bettendorf, IA, destroyed
- [NTSB OAK66A0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66A0027), Dec 14, 1965: Hughes 269A (N8823F), Sonoma, 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.

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