# NTSB ATL89FA035: Hughes 269C, N9575F, Mohawk, TN, November 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1988, 12:17 local (17:17 UTC)
- Place: Mohawk, TN
- Coordinates: 36.180751, -83.119392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1808&lon=-83.1194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - delayed (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER HAD LANDED AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AND THE INSTRUCTOR DEPLANED. THE DUAL STUDENT REMAINED IN THE HELICOPTER WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE CFI REBOARDED AND THE STUDENT MADE THE TAKEOFF. LATER, ON DOWNWIND IN TRAFFIC PATTERN, A WITNESS REPORTED A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE MAIN ROTOR WAS OBSERVED TO SLOW NOTICEABLY AND THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A VERY STEEP DESCENT, IMPACTING THE GROUND ABOUT 1,000 FEET SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE ENGINE ROD BOLTS ON THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER HAD FRACTURED. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT FAILURE. ONE OF THE ROD BOLTS WAS METALLURGICALLY EXAMINED AND SHOWED CRACKING THROUGH 25 PERCENT OF THE BOLT. THE FATIGUE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO INSUFFICIENT PRELOAD ON THE BOLT. THE ENGINE HAD 813 HRS SINCE A MAJOR OVERHAUL AND 36 HRS SINCE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9575F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9575F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 440295, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 440295
- Airframe hours: 6170
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce Hodges And Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1988, 36 hours before
- Departed: PVT, MORRISTOWN, TN
- Airport: PVT, Cooper Field, runway 27, 2,250 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 756 total, 604 in this make and model, 694 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N9575F (1)

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 ATL82DKM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DKM07), Sep 18, 1982: Hughes 269C (N9575F), Marshville, NC, 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.