# NTSB CHI82DA327: Hughes 269B, N9307F, Medina, OH, August 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1982, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Medina, OH
- Coordinates: 41.129741, -81.860107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1297&lon=-81.8601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA327

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 800 FEET AGL HE FELT A VIOLENT VIBRATION LASTING FOR 2 OR 3 SECONDS. HE REENTERED THE DOWNWIND LEG TO THE AIRPORT AND EXPERIENCED THE VIBRATION AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIRAL TO THE RIGHT AND CONTACTED THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE TAIL ASSEMBLY REVEALED AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE FRACTURE WAS NOTED IN THE TAIL ASSEMBLY ATTACH POINTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9307F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9307F-1997-07-24), registration cancelled 1997-07-24, S/N 1230009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B (269-B)
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 123-0009
- Airframe hours: 2791
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Julius Schmehzer
- Registered owner: Julius Schmehzer
- Departed: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Destination: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Airport: 165, Freedom Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,000 total, 49 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK

## 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 19820828041209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820828041209A), Aug 28, 1982: Hughes 269B, Medina, OH, Destroyed. In flight separation of tail rotor driveshaft caused uncontrollable spiral and crash.

## Other investigations on N9307F (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 OAK67A0046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67A0046), Oct 27, 1966: Hughes 269B (N9307F), Milpitas, CA, 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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