# NTSB CHI86FER03: Hughes 269A (TH-55A), N10415, Lakeville, MN, March 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1986, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Lakeville, MN
- Coordinates: 44.669708, -93.240753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6697&lon=-93.2408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FER03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FER03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - high wind
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CFI REPORTED THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A DEMONSTRATION OF WIND EFFECT DURING TURNS AROUND A POINT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER WAS TURNED DOWNWIND IT BEGAN DESCENDING FROM AN ALT OF APRX 200 FT AGL. IT CONTINUED IT'S DESCENT UNTIL THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. STRONG, GUSTY WINDS WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10415](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10415-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N 760629, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A (TH-55A) (269A (TH-5)
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 66-18347
- Airframe hours: 4713
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul A. Dagnon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 16, 1986, 73 hours before
- Departed: LVN, LAKEVILLE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 302 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 7 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 19860329008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860329008009A), Mar 29, 1986: Hughes 269A, Lakeville, MN, Destroyed. Hit a windshear while demonstrating turns about a point. Hit ground with skids, then rolled onto its side.

## Other investigations on N10415 (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 FTW95LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA039), Nov 8, 1994: Hughes 269A (N10415), Monticello, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FATIGUED ROD END BOLT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.

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.