# NTSB CHI87MA053: Hughes 269B, N8982F, Cross Plaines, IN, December 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1986, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Cross Plaines, IN
- Coordinates: 38.940124, -85.220367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9401&lon=-85.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 19, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87MA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87MA053

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT & OBSERVER WERE ON A POWER LINE PATROL FLT. WHILE PROCEEDING SOUTHBOUND, THEY APCHD AN AREA WERE THE LINES WERE ABOUT 23 FT AGL & WERE CROSSED BY ANOTHER SET OF POWER LINES, ORIENTED IN AN EAST-WEST DIRECTION. THE OTHER POWER LINES WERE ABOUT 45 FT AGL WITH 2 STATIC LINES APRX 15 FT HIGHER (60 FT AGL). BEFORE REACHING THE PERPENDICULAR LINES, THERE WAS A PROMINENT MARKER ON THE 4TH POLE NORTH OF THE HIGHER LINES THAT WARNED OF THE CROSSING POWER LINES, 1000 FT AHEAD. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS CROSSING THE PERPENDICULAR LINES, THE RGT SKID BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE NORTH STATIC LINE. THE HELICOPTER THEN NOSED DOWN & COLLIDED WITH THE LOWER SET OF LINES THAT WERE BEING INSPECTED. IT THEN CRASHED TO THE GND & BURNED. THE HELICOPTER WAS EXTENSIVELY DMGD BY GND FIRE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8982F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8982F-1988-08-11), registration cancelled 1988-08-11, S/N 330190 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0190
- Airframe hours: 6898
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: SER, SEYMOUR, IN
- Destination: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,600 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 30 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 19861210070919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861210070919A), Dec 10, 1986: Hughes 269B, Cross Plaines, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a powerline during a powerline patrol. Crashed and burned. Wire impact at area of crossing powerlines.

## Other investigations on N8982F (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 ATL82DA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA258), Sep 1, 1982: Hughes 269C (N8982F), Louisville, KY, 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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