# NTSB CHI87DEE10: Hughes 269A, N8927F, Plainfield, IL, September 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Plainfield, IL
- Coordinates: 41.609672, -88.199981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6097&lon=-88.2000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEE10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEE10

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - accessory drive assy - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING AT ABOUT 4 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED RIGHT TURN AND DESCENT, COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE ENGINE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A STUD AND BOLT HOLDING THE CRANKSHAFT IDLER GEAR SHAFT IN PLACE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE CRANKSHAFT IDLER GEAR TO DISENGAGE FROM THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT MAIN GEARS, RESULTING IN POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8927F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8927F-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 113-0310, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1130310
- Airframe hours: 2664
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Harold E Miller, doing business as Harold'S Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: American Pride Car Wash Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1986, 228 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,663 total, 1,185 in this make and model, 1,499 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW

## 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 19870915053069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870915053069A), Sep 15, 1987: Hughes 269A, Plainfield, IL, Substantial damage. Uncommanded right turn and crash on a spray run. Crankshaft idler gear bolts broke. Lost timing. Engine quit.

## Other investigations on N8927F (3)

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 MKC75FCQ37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCQ37), Mar 12, 1975: Hughes 269A (N8927F), Hutchinson, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX74FUQ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUQ27), Jan 5, 1974: Hughes 269A (N8927F), Burbank, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX69F0106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0106), Aug 28, 1968: Hughes 269A (N8927F), Industry, CA, 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.