# NTSB CHI85FA210: Hughes 300, N404Z, Joliet, IL, May 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1985, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Joliet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.5205, -88.120437 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5205&lon=-88.1204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA210

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - aerial
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED EXTREME VERTICAL VIBRATIONS WHILE LANDING FROM A HOVER. INADVERTENT GROUND CONTACT DURING UNCONTROLLED OSCILLATIONS RESULTED IN DESTRUCTION OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N404Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N404Z-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 1201007, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 300
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1201007
- Airframe hours: 1714
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360D7A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Eagle Air Helicopters, doing business as Eagle Air Helicopters
- Registered owner: 404z Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 21, 1985, 20 hours before
- Departed: JOLIET, IL
- Destination: JOT, JOLIET, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 54 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA

## 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 19850526020839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850526020839A), May 26, 1985: Hughes 269C, Joliet, IL, Destroyed. Vibration progressed to ground resonance during aerial taxi. Struck the ramp several times and rolled onto side.

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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