# NTSB CHI92LA222: Hughes 269C, N58335, Aurora, IL, August 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1992, 10:58 local (15:58 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, IL
- Coordinates: 41.760288, -88.290519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7603&lon=-88.2905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA222

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE DESCENT AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FELT A YAW, LOSS OF POWER AND DECREASE IN ROTOR RPM DURING CRUISE.  HE TURNED TOWARD HOMEFIELD AND BEGAN A DESCENT.  ENROUTE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY, AND HE LANDED HARD IN AN OPEN FIELD.  ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT SEPARATED AT A FATIGUE FRACTURE THROUGH THE NUMBER FOUR ROD JOURNAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58335](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58335-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 390762, built 1979 (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: 390762
- Airframe hours: 2805
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Great Lakes Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Great Lakes Helicopter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1992, 17 hours before
- Departed: ARR, SUGAR GROVE, IL
- Destination: ARR
- Airport: ARR, Aurora Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 109 total, 60 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR, 4 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 19920801031089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920801031089A), Aug 1, 1992: Hughes 269C, Chicago/Aurora, IL, Substantial damage. Lost power. Autorotated. Hard landing. Found broken engine crankshaft.

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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