# NTSB CHI89DEV06: Hughes 269C, N7439F, Millersville, IL, June 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1989, 07:48 local (12:48 UTC)
- Place: Millersville, IL
- Coordinates: 39.379817, -89.070831 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3798&lon=-89.0708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14227
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEV06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14227/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEV06

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ROTOR RPM FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHILE APPLYING AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS.

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER THE ROTOR RPM DECAYED DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHILE APPLYING AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - ground
  - rotor rpm - not maintained (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7439F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7439F-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 460489, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 460489
- Airframe hours: 4615
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Perkinson Copters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1989, 37 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor, military; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,098 total, 1,002 in this make and model, 3,586 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPI, 34 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 19890606014549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890606014549A), Jun 6, 1989: Hughes 269C, Millersville, IL, Destroyed. Impacted ground in level altitude bounced and flipped inverted during a turnaround from a spray run.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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