# NTSB ATL90LA134: Hughes 269C, N7448F, Saluda, SC, June 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1990, 20:00 local (Jun 22, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, SC
- Coordinates: 35.230625, -82.340347 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2306&lon=-82.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA134

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN FOR HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE OPERATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN SETTLING WITH POWER TO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PRACTICE LOW LEVEL MANEUVERS FOR UTILITY LINE OBSERVATION. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN EXCESS OF 100 DEGREES AND THE PILOT WAS OPERATING AT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AT SLOW AIRSPEEDS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 4200 FEET. THE PILOT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DESCENDING. THE PILOT SAID HE ADDED POWER, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED SETTLING UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7448F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7448F-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 560510, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 560510
- Airframe hours: 3556
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southeast Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1990, 20 hours before
- Departed: 6J4
- Destination: 1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 237 total, 6 in this make and model, 137 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F

## 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 19900621022059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900621022059A), Jun 21, 1990: Hughes 269C, Saluda, SC, Substantial damage. Powerline patrol practice helicopter settled with full power in a slow speed turn. Density altitude a factor.

## Other investigations on N7448F (2)

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 CHI80DER43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DER43), Jun 1, 1980: Hughes 269C (N7448F), Willmar, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC79FER63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FER63), Jul 2, 1979: Hughes 269C (N7448F), Willmar, MN, 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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