# NTSB CHI84LA203: Hughes 269B, N9471F, Toulon, IL, May 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1984, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Toulon, IL
- Coordinates: 41.090705, -89.85939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0907&lon=-89.8594&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - foreign object (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - vibration (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Roll over, landing
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED THE HELICOPTER IN A GRASSY AREA TO TALK TO A FRIEND. DURING DEPARTURE, HE FLEW OVER A CORN FIELD, & AT THAT TIME, AN EMPTY PAPER/PLASTIC CORN SEED SACK WAS DRAWN UP INTO THE MAIN ROTOR & A SEVERE VIBRATION BEGAN. HE THEN LANDED IN THE FIELD & SLID ABOUT 30 FT, THE SKIDS DUG INTO THE GROUND & THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9471F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9471F-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 106-0267, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 106-0267
- Airframe hours: 3637
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dwain L. Webster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 14, 1984, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 120 total, 120 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19840520018719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840520018719A), May 20, 1984: Hughes 269B, Toulon, IL, Substantial damage. A feed sack blown into rotors at low altitude caused vibration. Helicopter nosed up and rolled on forced landing.

## Other investigations on N9471F (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 CHI06LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA124), May 3, 2006: Hughes 269B (N9471F), Sullivan, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fatigue failure of the fuselage-to-tail boom cluster fitting, and the secondary failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. An additional cause was the incomplete compliance with an applicable…
- [NTSB NYC76FFJ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FFJ03), Aug 20, 1975: Hughes 269B (N9471F), Mumford, NY, destroyed

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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