# NTSB CHI76FEG12: Hughes 269A, N444E, West Charlestn, OH, April 3, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: April 3, 1976
- Place: West Charlestn, OH · WEST CHARLESTN, OH
- Location: 39.9231° N, 84.1336° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Charleston, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9231&lon=-84.1336&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI76FEG12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEG12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0715   76/4/3    WEST CHARLESTN,OH   HUGHES 269A         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 2222
        TIME - 1340                    N444E               PX-  0  1  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 443 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          XENIA,OH                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
           PERSONNEL - MISCELLANEOUS-PERSONNEL: PASSENGER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
        REMARKS- PAX LEANING OUT TAKING PICTURES,HAD LEG DRAPED OVR COLLECTIVE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N444E), registered now, S/N 0217, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19760403007369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760403007369A), Apr 3, 1976: Hughes 269A, West Charlestn, OH, Substantial damage. Pax leaning out taking pictures,had leg draped ovr collective.

## Other investigations on N444E (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 CHI75FEG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEG21), May 12, 1975: Hughes 269A (N444E), Tipp City, OH, 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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