# NTSB CHI93LA208: Hughes 269, N213MS, Valley City, ND, June 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1993, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Valley City, ND
- Coordinates: 46.919094, -98.000106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9191&lon=-98.0001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA208

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application manuever.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS APPLYING HERBICIDE WITH THE HELICOPTER ON SLOPING TERRAIN WITH AN ISOLATED TREE NEARBY. HE APPROACHED THE TREE TO APPLY HERBICIDE AND INADVERTENTLY STRUCK A TREE BRANCH WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE.  THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND IT CRASHED IN THE FIELD ADJACENT TO THE TREE.

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 1993, about 0730 central daylight time, a Hughes 269 helicopter, N213MS, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a tree and terrain near Valley City, North Dakota.  The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The aerial application flight operated without flight plan under 14 CFR Part 137 in visual meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported he was flying slowly uphill from a ravine bottom while applying a herbicide.  He was applying the herbicide near an isolated tree when he inadvertently allowed the main rotor blades to strike a tree branch.  The helicopter descended uncontrollably and collided with terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N213MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N213MS-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N S1309, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1309
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Kriedelcamp, Jon
- Registered owner: Kriedelcamp, Jon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 6,200 total, 125 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930615018109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930615018109A), Jun 15, 1993: Hughes 269C, Valley City, ND, Substantial damage. Main rotors struck a isolated tree while spraying sloping hillside.

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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