# NTSB CHI85LA197: Hughes 269, N7485F, Stonington, IL, May 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1985, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Stonington, IL
- Coordinates: 39.629405, -89.190391 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6294&lon=-89.1904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13067
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13067/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA197

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING A SWATH RUN, THE PLT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER UP OVER A POWER LINE, THEN MADE A TURN-AROUND FOR ANOTHER SWATH RUN. HE STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE NEXT RUN, HE 'FELT THE WIND PUSH THE TAIL UPWARD FORCING THE NOSE DOWNWARD...' HE APPLIED AFT CYCLIC TO LEVEL THE HELICOPTER & FULL COLLECTIVE TO STOP THE DESCENT. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, THEN ROLLED FORWARD & CAME TO REST INVERTED. ABOUT 13 MI NORTHEAST AT DECATUR, IL, THE 1800 CDT WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 16 KTS. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 24 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7485F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7485F-1991-08-10), registration cancelled 1991-08-10, S/N 570599 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 570599
- Airframe hours: 2610
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ray Phillips, doing business as Perkinson Copters,Inc.
- Registered owner: Perkinson'S Copters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 6, 1985, 47 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,780 total, 450 in this make and model, 1,685 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 13 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 19850515017399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850515017399A), May 15, 1985: Hughes 269C, Stonington, IL, Destroyed. Pulled up over powerlines after spray run and reversed course. Impacted ground and rolled over.

## Other investigations on N7485F (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 CHI78FEP58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEP58), Aug 2, 1978: Hughes 269C (N7485F), Stoughton, WI, 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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