# NTSB CHI86LA236: Hughes 269B, N9427F, Baldwin, WI, September 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1986, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Baldwin, WI
- Coordinates: 44.960369, -92.369407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9604&lon=-92.3694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankcase - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER PICKING UP HIS PASSENGER AT WILLIAMS PIPELINE, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, THE PLT FLEW EASTWARD ALONG INTERSTATE 90 ENROUTE TO A PIPELINE NEAR WAUSAU, WISCONSIN. WHILE FLYING AT APPROXIMATELLY 400 FEET, THE PLT AND PASSENGER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING OR KNOCKING NOISE AND THAT THERE WAS AN ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT THEN DROPPED THE COLLECTIVE AND TURNED APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES TO THE SANDY, UPWARD SLOPING GROUND. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED LOW AND THE TAILBOOM RAISED. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES THEN STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER FOUR PISTON ROD PROTRUDED THROUGH THE ENGINE CASE, WHICH WAS CRACKED FROM THE HOLE TO THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER BASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9427F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9427F-2016-05-05), registration cancelled 2016-05-05, S/N 0174, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5-0174
- Airframe hours: 4240
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Dagnon Aviation
- Registered owner: Paul A. Dagnon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1986, 10 hours before
- Departed: MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,545 total, 200 in this make and model, 145 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots, gusting 11
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F

## 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 19860926048349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860926048349A), Sep 26, 1986: Hughes 269B, Baldwin, WI, Substantial damage. The engine failed and the helicopter made a hard forced landing severing the tailboom. Piston rod had failed.

## Other investigations on N9427F (4)

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 CEN15LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA341), Aug 5, 2015: Hughes 269B (N9427F), Atkinson, IL, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
- [NTSB DEN78DTC15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN78DTC15), Mar 3, 1978: Hughes 269B (N9427F), Douglas, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA71DXM18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71DXM18), Jan 7, 1971: Hughes 269B (N9427F), Atlanta, ID, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67A0010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0010), Aug 7, 1966: Hughes 269B (N9427F), Eaverton, OR, 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.

---
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.