# NTSB CHI08CA097: Hughes 269A, N9333V, Franklin Furnac, OH, March 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 21, 2008, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Franklin Furnac, OH - Coordinates: 38.594165, -82.760276 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5942&lon=-82.7603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 67867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA097 ## Probable cause The fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command. A contributing factor was the trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Fuselage: rotorcraft tail boom](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The helicopter was recently purchased by the left seat pilot, who did not hold a rotorcraft rating, and was being piloted by the right sear pilot at the time of the accident. The right seat pilot stated that he performed an autorotation on a hilltop, which was "sparsely populated" by 7-1/2 to 8 foot high trees. He also stated that the hilltop was the only available landing area, which was surrounded by "hostile" terrain. During the forced landing, the tail boom sustained damage on impact with trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed no usable fuel aboard. ## Factual narrative The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The helicopter was recently purchased by the left seat pilot, who did not hold a rotorcraft rating, and was being piloted by the right sear pilot at the time of the accident. The right seat pilot stated that he performed an autorotation on a hilltop, which was "sparsely populated" by 7-1/2 to 8 foot high trees. He also stated that the hilltop was the only available landing area, which was surrounded by "hostile" terrain. During the forced landing, the tail boom sustained damage on impact with trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed no usable fuel aboard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9333V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9333V), registered now, S/N 53-0207, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53-0207 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Left Seat Pilot - Registered owner: Left Seat Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PHD, New Philadelphi, OH - Destination: DWU, Ashland, KY - Airport: DWU, Ashland Regional Airport, runway 10 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1; flight hours: 16,387 total, 275 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 1,746 total, 3 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080321835789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080321835789A), Mar 21, 2008: Hughes 269A, Ashland, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) On Friday March 21, 2008 at approx 9:00 am EDT, the pilot [privacy data omitted] departed new philadelphia, oh airport (phd) en route to Ashland, KY dwu.… ## Other investigations on N9333V (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 DEN73FTE77](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73FTE77), May 21, 1973: Hughes 269B (N9333V), Broomfield, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW70FQD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70FQD10), Apr 13, 1970: Hughes 269B (N9333V), Pecos, TX, 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.