# NTSB CHI96TA306: Hughes 269A, N7052A, Cedar Rapids, IA, August 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: August 19, 1996, 18:04 local (23:04 UTC) - Place: Cedar Rapids, IA - Coordinates: 41.919731, -91.699516 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9197&lon=-91.6995&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96TA306 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96TA306 ## Probable cause partial blocking of the fuel injection control, and a fracture of the induction air ducting for reasons undetermined. A factor was trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - induction air ducting - fractured (cause) - fuel injection control/system - blocked(partial) (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight when he heard a loud noise and the helicopter yawed to the left. He initiated an autorotational landing into a residential area where the helicopter impacted trees and the terrain. An examination of the engine found two pieces of plastic in the induction tubes. The pieces were found to have come from the induction housing, but the reason for the fracture was not determined. The two pieces fitted together and could be positioned to block the fuel injection control. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1996, at 1804 central daylight time, a Hughes 269A, N7052A, sustained substantial damage during an autorotational landing following a loss of engine power in cruise flight. The pilot stated the engine stopped suddenly after a loud "pop." The accident occurred in the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The flight was a public use operation by the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight departed Cedar Rapids about 1730. The pilot stated that he was on a routine police patrol and was responding to a call in the southeastern part of the city. He said he was cruising at an altitude of about 1,400 feet mean sea level, in level flight when he heard a loud noise and the helicopter yawed to the left. He stated that he immediately lowered the collective control and initiated an autorotational landing. He found he was over a residential area and selected two trees which turned out to be about three to three and one half inches in diameter and measured by the police depart, to be 26 feet tall. The main rotor system impacted the trees and the helicopter continued to the ground. The pilot stated that the engine was not running during the forced landing. An examination of the engine from the accident helicopter was conducted on September 4, 1996. The engine was test run. The engine ran within manufacturer's specification during the examination. The report of the examination is attached to this report. During the preparation for the engine run the #3 and #4 induction tubes were removed for replacement, due to impact damage. Inside each tube was one piece of plastic. When placed together the two pieces fit together. The inlet induction housing was inspected and the pieces were determined to be from that housing. There were several splits in the housing in the area where the plastic pieces originated. The reason for their separation was not determined. It was possible to lay the two pieces over the fuel control induction unit and block the air tubes. See photos attached to this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7052A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7052A-1998-11-07), registration cancelled 1998-11-07, S/N 880956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 880956 - Airframe hours: 12329 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: City Of Cedar Rapids - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: CID, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,900 total, 850 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CID, 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 19960819023279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960819023279A), Aug 19, 1996: Hughes 269A, Substantial damage 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.