# NTSB CHI84LA345: Hughes 300/269C, N1105X, Freeport, IL, August 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 19:00 local (Aug 13, 1984, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Freeport, IL
- Coordinates: 42.290798, -89.629508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2908&lon=-89.6295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA345

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub - separation
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO GIVE SIGHT SEEING RIDES AT ALBERTUS AIRPORT. THE TWO PAX ONBOARD ASKED THE PLT TO PROVIDE AN EXCITING RIDE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE AN AUTOROTATION TO A CORN FIELD AND MAKE A PWR RECOVERY. AFTER FLARING AND APPLYING PWR THE A/C SETTLED INTO THE CORN. AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO FLY OUT OF THE CROPS, THE AFT 2 FT OF THE TAIL BOOM AND THE TAILROTOR SEPARATED. HE LOST CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER SPUN UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1105X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 300/269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1025
- Airframe hours: 1034
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crescent Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1984, 42 hours before
- Departed: FEP, FREEPORT, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 367 total, 183 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 50 nm away

## 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 19840812040119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812040119A), Aug 12, 1984: Hughes 269C, Freeport, IL, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck corn stalks when pilot tried power recovery from a practice autorotation. Spun into the corn.

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.