# NTSB ATL89LA199: Hughes 269A, N8773F, Saluda, SC, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, SC
- Coordinates: 34.000812, -81.769172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0008&lon=-81.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA199

## Probable cause

STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LIFT-OFF AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF TO A HOVER THE HELICOPTER ROLLED RIGHT. LEFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED BY THE INSTRUCTOR WHO REALIZED THAT THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION WAS ALSO APPLYING LEFT CYCLIC. AS THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL RIGHT THE INSTRUCTOR LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE. HOWEVER THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED ROLLING UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD SEPARATED. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE FLIGHT CONTROLS HAD FEEL AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS. THE FRACTURED MAIN ROTOR MAST HAD EXCESSIVE POROSITY BUT FAILED IN OVERLOAD. A GOUGE WAS FOUND IN THE GROUND INDICATING THAT THE RIGHT SKID REAR TIP DRAGGED DURING THE LIFT-OFF AND PRECIPITATED THE DYNAMIC ROLL OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8773F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8773F), registered now, S/N 0097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A (269-A)
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 620097
- Airframe hours: 2159
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randle, Robert A./Jane M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1989, 20 hours before
- Airport: Etheridge, runway 36, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,934 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 3,754 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE, 30 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 19890819030549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030549A), Aug 19, 1989: Hughes 269C, Saluda, SC, Substantial damage. Entered dynamic roll-over on takeoff to a hover. Helicopter rolled over. A skid touched ground on uneven liftoff.

## Other investigations on N8773F (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 LAX84LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA260), Apr 17, 1984: Hughes 269 (N8773F), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX83LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA340), Jul 16, 1983: Hughes 269 (N8773F), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI71FBJ38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBJ38), Nov 11, 1970: Hughes 269A (N8773F), No.Muskegon, MI, destroyed

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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