# NTSB CHI95LA222: Hughes 269C, N88007, Crete, NE, July 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Crete, NE
- Coordinates: 40.620239, -96.949127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6202&lon=-96.9491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA222

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the runway marker.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - airport sign/marker
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

While performing a sideways taxi hover, the helicopter skid contacted a runway marker and the helicopter rolled over.

## Factual narrative

On July 14, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N88007, registered to Silverhawk Security Specialists of Lincoln, Nebraska, collided with a runway marker while hovering at the Crete Airport, Crete, Nebraska, while on a maintenance test flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter was substantially damaged.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.

The pilot had been hovering while the main rotor disc lateral balance was being tested.  He stated the winds were too "brisk" to hover with a downwind.  He performed a clearing turn and ultimately lined "the nose of the helicopter with the prevailing wind."  The pilot began hovering sideways and after moving about 20 feet, the rear position of the right skid tube contacted a runway marker sign.  The helicopter then entered what the pilot described as a "dymanic rollover."  The pilot stated his view was blocked by the passenger and the right rear corner of the cabin structure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88007](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88007), registered now, S/N S1546 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1546
- Airframe hours: 397
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Silverhawk Security
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1995, 1 hours before
- Departed: CEK
- Airport: CEK, Crete Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19950714018759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950714018759A), Jul 14, 1995: Hughes 269C, Crete, NE, Substantial damage. Hovering on test flight. Skid hit runway sign. Entered dynamic rollover. Tail and main rotors struck ground.

## Other investigations on N88007 (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 CHI99LA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA257), Jul 27, 1999: Schweizer 269C (N88007), Jetmore, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's use of improper procedures by not following the helicopter manufacturer's recommended engine RPM reduction procedures during autorotations. A factor was the pilot not attaining the proper…

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.