# NTSB CHI86LA219: Hughes 500 (369HS), N2254X, West Lafayette, IN, September 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1986, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: West Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.440925, -86.909355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4409&lon=-86.9094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - corroded (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - brittle fracture (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS AT A LOW ALTITUDE HOVER VIDEO TAPING AN ATHLETIC EVENT WHEN THE AFT FLEX COUPLING ON THE TAIL ROTOR FAILED. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND DURING DESCENT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE ROOF OF A RESIDENCE. THE HELICOPTER THEN FELL INTO THE YARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2254X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2254X-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 890110S, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500 (369HS) (500 (369HS)
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 890110
- Airframe hours: 6556
- Engines: ALLISON 250 CIBA 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: R. J. Dubray
- Registered owner: R.J. Dubray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1986, 82 hours before
- Departed: MCX, MONTICELLO, IN
- Destination: MCX, MONTICELLO, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,362 total, 230 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 1 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 19860906045939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860906045939A), Sep 6, 1986: Hughes 369HS, Lafayette, IN, Destroyed. The helicopter lost tail rotor control and hit a house. Aft flex coupling failed from cracks caused by corrosion.

## Other investigations on N2254X (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 MIA83LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA079), Feb 21, 1983: Hughes 500-369HS (N2254X), Boca Raton, FL, 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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