# NTSB CHI95LA029: Hughes 269C, N9294F, Garden City, KS, November 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 1994, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Garden City, KS - Coordinates: 37.969089, -100.860038 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9691&lon=-100.8600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9791/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA029 ## Probable cause inadvertant engagement of the rotor drive system, while the helicopter had been left unattended by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating - rotor drive system,main rotor drive belt - engaged (cause) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - idling rotors - object - pole ## Analysis THE PILOT LEFT THE HELICOPTER UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE AT IDLE AND THE ROTOR SYSTEM DISENGAGED. WHILE UNATTENDED, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED, AND THE ROTOR SYSTEM DRIVE BELTS ENGAGED. THE UNPILOTED HELICOPTER MOVED ACROSS THE GROUND, STRUCK A POLE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. POST-CRASH INSPECTION REVEALED THE COLLECTIVE IN THE FULL UP POSITION. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 1994, at 1515 hours central standard time (CST), a Hughes 269-C helicopter, N9294F, operated as a business aircraft by Henkle Drilling and Supply, Inc., of Garden City, Kansas, contacted a pole with its rotor blades at the owner's facility one mile west of Garden City, Kansas. The helicopter turned on its side and was substantially damaged. There were no persons on board the helicopter during the accident and no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 and had originated from the Garden City Regional Airport at approximately 1445 CST. The airline transport rated pilot had repositioned the helicopter and was awaiting a part to transport to a company site in Sublette, Kansas. After landing at 1450 hours CST, the engine was placed at idle (approximately 1400 RPM), the rotor disengaged, and the pilot exited the helicopter. Winds were 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. The rotors engaged with no persons on board, and the helicopter struck a building. Post-crash inspection revealed that the belt tensioner was still in the disengaged position, and the collective was in the full up position. Witnesses stated that the gusting winds were causing the static rotor blades to flap vertically. As rotor blade pitch is increased, the engine anticipator tends to increase engine speed. Maintenance and operations personnel stated that as engine speed increases, the drive belts are able to grab the drive pulleys. Witnesses described hearing the engine operating at a high speed during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9294F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9294F-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 650421, built 1975 (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 I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 650421 - Airframe hours: 1435 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Henkle Drilling & Supply Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1994, 20 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 5,100 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GCK, 1 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 19941102037219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941102037219A), Nov 2, 1994: Hughes 269C, Garden City, KS, Substantial damage. Landed. Got out rotors engine idling gusty winds flapping rotors caused power increase. Helicopter struck building. ## Other investigations on N9294F (1) 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 FTW02LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA038), Nov 17, 2001: Hughes 269C (N9294F), Richmond, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.