# NTSB CHI89FA062: Hughes 269C, N8642F, De Kalb, IL, March 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1989, 16:01 local (22:01 UTC)
- Place: De Kalb, IL
- Coordinates: 41.890048, -88.750053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8900&lon=-88.7501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA062

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CONNECTING ROD WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE BROKEN RING IN THE NUMBER ONE PISTON AND A DETERIORATED CENTER MAIN BEARING.

## 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,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,ring - fractured (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING FROM A POWER LINE PATROL THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE INTO TREES. THE #4 CONNECTING ROD FRACTURED THROUGH THE BEARING STRAP ON ONE SIDE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE CRANKCASE. SAFETY BOARD METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED FATIGUE BEACH MARKINGS ON THE MAJORITY OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE. ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION SHOWED DETERIORATION OF THE CENTER MAIN BEARINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE TOP RING ON THE #1 PISTON. THE RING FAILURE HAD WORN A GROOVE IN THE PISTON ALMOST THROUGH TO THE 2ND RING GROOVE. SPARK PLUGS WERE NORMAL EXCEPT FOR OIL DEPOSITS ON THE #1 CYLINDER PLUGS. PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD ADDED 3 QTS OF OIL DURING REFUELING DAY OF ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8642F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8642F-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 770614, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C (269-C)
- 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: 614
- Airframe hours: 4023
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO360D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Eagle Air Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 1989, 28 hours before
- Departed: ARR, AURORA, IL
- Destination: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,553 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 16 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 19890322004449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890322004449A), Mar 22, 1989: Hughes 269C, Dekalb, IL, Destroyed. Engine failed, autorotated into tree top. Fell to ground. Broken rings caused engine stress and rod bearing failed

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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