# NTSB BFO89LA054: Hughes 269C, N1113Z, Baltimore, MD, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Location: 39.3257° N, 76.4138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MARTIN STATE (MTN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3257&lon=-76.4138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT LANDED ON UNSUITABLE SOFT TERRAIN WHICH CAUSED THE LANDING SKID TO SINK INTO THE GROUND. THIS RESULTED IN A LANDING SKID OVERLOAD FAILURE AND NOSE OVER OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, taxi - aerial
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - landing gear,ski assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS AIR TAXIING AT 2 FT AGL WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR CUT THE POWER TO SIMULATE A POWER LOSS. ACCORDING TO THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR, A NORMAL LANDING FOLLOWED; HOWEVER, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. UPON EXITING THE ACFT THEY NOTICED THEY HAD LANDED ON A DIRT MOUNT AND THE LEFT LANDING SKID HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1113Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1113Z-1994-08-04), registration cancelled 1994-08-04, S/N 1000972, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1000972
- Airframe hours: 6904
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Omniflight
- Registered owner: Omniflight Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 16, 1991, 2 hours before
- Airport: MTN, Martin State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, private, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,170 total, 550 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTN

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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