# NTSB CHI91LA048: Hughes 269A, N90270, Sellersburg, IN, December 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1990, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sellersburg, IN
- Coordinates: 38.389427, -85.749618 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3894&lon=-85.7496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA048

## Probable cause

A PILOT INDUCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BY INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - mixture - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CHECKING THE RADIOS DURING A LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WANTED SOME CABIN HEAT, REACHED FOR THE CABIN HEATER LEVER, AND MOVED IT TO WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS THE FULL 'ON' POSITION. HE LATER LEARNED HE MOVED THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL TO THE FULL 'LEAN' POSITION. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT HAD LITTLE TIME TO AFFECT A STABILIZED AUTOROTATION. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER SLID SIDEWAYS ON WET SOD AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90270](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90270), registered now, S/N 66-18283, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 66-18283
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hap'S Aerial Enterprises
- Registered owner: James R. Braunbeck
- Departed: JVY, SELLERSBURG, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,800 total, 5,050 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LOU, 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 19901226056189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901226056189A), Dec 26, 1990: Hughes 269A, Jeffersonville, IN, Substantial damage. On radio check flight pulled mixture control by mistake instead of carb heat. Rotor RPM decayed due friction locked

## Other investigations on N90270 (2)

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 ERA23LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA289), Jun 27, 2023: Hughes 269A (N90270), Anderson, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanics’ improper torquing of the main rotor blade dampers, which resulted in a ground resonance event during landing.
- [NTSB MIA87LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA089), Feb 20, 1987: Hughes 269A (N90270), Jacksonville, FL, 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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