# NTSB BFO89LA078: Hughes 269C, N58281, Parkersburg, WV, August 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Parkersburg, WV
- Location: 39.3450° N, 81.4393° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MID-OHIO VALLEY RGNL (PKB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3450&lon=-81.4393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE (MOVEMENT) OF THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL DURING ENGINE OPERATION BEFORE SHUTDOWN, AND A SUBSEQUENT LIFT-OFF, LOSS OF CONTROL, ROLL OVER, AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - collective - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - inadvertent (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, other
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58281](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58281), registered now, S/N 1180734, built 1978 (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-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-d1a) (registry code 41893, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1180734
- Airframe hours: 7895
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Omni Flight Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: BTP, PITTSBURG, PA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PKB, Wood County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,854 total, 144 in this make and model, 1,067 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PKB

## 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 19890831033129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890831033129A), Aug 31, 1989: Hughes 269C, Parkersburg, WV, Substantial damage. Allowed cyclic to rise while shuting down on landing. Helicopter rose and spun to left. Rotors hit caused rollover.

## Other investigations on N58281 (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 NYC81DHA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81DHA05), Nov 25, 1980: Hughes 300C (N58281), Whitehouse, NJ, 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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