# NTSB CHI91LA207: Hughes 300C, N58404, Whitehall, MI, July 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1991, 23:45 local (Jul 4, 1991, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Whitehall, MI
- Coordinates: 43.389446, -86.340827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3894&lon=-86.3408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA207

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE WATER. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE FLEW ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. UPON REACHING THE OPPOSITE SHORE, HE ENTERED A DESCENDING, LEFT TURN TOWARD HIS DESTINATION. HE REPORTED HE LOST VISUAL REFERENCE DURING THIS MANEUVER, AND DESCENDED INTO THE LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58404](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58404-1993-05-12), registration cancelled 1993-05-12, S/N 1190845 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 300C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1190845
- Airframe hours: 1210
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-01A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Diversified International, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1990, 52 hours before
- Departed: CGX, CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 14 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 19910703025899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910703025899A), Jul 3, 1991: Hughes 269C, Whitehall, MI, Substantial damage. Lost ground reference turning over lake while descending to land on beach. Flew into lake.

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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