# NTSB CHI88LA108: Hughes 269B, N9487F, Minneapolis, MN, May 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1988, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 45.080352, -93.190139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0804&lon=-93.1901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF, THE WINDS REPORTEDLY GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS, LOADED WITH TWO PASSENGERS, WHEN JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT STATED THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE AN AUTOROTATION, BUT DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. AS A RESULT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A MOVING VEHICLE WITH ITS TAIL ROTOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 130 LBS UNDER GROSS WT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF. WHEN EXAMINED AND TESTED THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY AND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID REVEAL THAT A FUEL NOZZLE HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH A RESTRICTOR MISSING BUT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE MISSING RESTRICTOR THE FUEL SERVO IDLE MIXTURE WAS SET AT A VERY LEAN SETTING. THIS WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9487F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9487F-2023-01-20), registration cancelled 2023-01-20, S/N 270313, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 270313
- Airframe hours: 2230
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warner Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1987, 47 hours before
- Departed: BEHTEL COLLEGE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,543 total, 542 in this make and model, 1,285 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 12 nm away

## Other investigations on N9487F (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 CHI84LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA274), Jul 3, 1984: Hughes 269B (N9487F), Eden Prairie, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC75FCD22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCD22), Oct 30, 1974: Hughes 269B (N9487F), Waterloo, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC71DDM18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DDM18), May 2, 1970: Hughes 269B (N9487F), Crosby, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC68F0506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68F0506), Mar 28, 1968: Hughes 269B (N9487F), St Paul, MN, 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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