# NTSB CHI98LA293: Hughes 269A, N101KT, Salina, KS, July 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1998, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Salina, KS - Coordinates: 38.809497, -97.610916 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8095&lon=-97.6109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43593 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43593/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA293 ## Probable cause inadequate maintenance which failed to detect corrosion in the fuel injector system and the fuel pump. Factors related to the accident were the low altitude and airspeed at which the loss of engine power occurred. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - fuel system - contamination (cause) - fuel system,pump - corroded (cause) - fuel system,injector - corroded (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - inadequate (contributing factor) - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The accident occurred during a test flight after an annual inspection. The pilot reported that after takeoff at an altitude of about 300 feet above the ground with an airspeed of 50 miles per hour, the engine lost power. He performed an autorotation during which he turned to avoid obstacles. The helicopter impacted the terrain and rolled over. Post accident inspection revealed the fuel pump contained corrosion. The fuel injector contained a white powdery substance in almost every port. The fuel injector finger screen was also corroded. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1998, at 1240 central daylight time (cdt), a Hughes 269A, N101KT, registered to Kansas State University Salina, of Salina, Kansas, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation at the Salina Municipal Airport. The airline transport rated pilot received serious injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at the Salina Muncipal Airport shortly before the accident. An annual inspection had just been completed on the helicopter and the pilot was performing a maintenance test flight at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had made several takeoffs and landings without incident. He reported that he made a departure into the wind and at an altitude of about 300 feet above the ground with an airspeed of 50 miles per hour, the engine lost power. The pilot continued to report, "Autorotation into wind was carried out. Because of low altitude and low speed and the turn to miss obstacles, was unable to perform a normal autorotational landing." The helicopter impacted the terrain and nosed over. A post accident engine run was conducted under the supervision of inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita, Kansas, Flight Standards District Office. The engine was power washed to remove debris from the accident. The engine driven fuel pump, injection unit, oil filter adapter, and ignition vibrator were damaged during the accident. These components were removed from the engine and replaced with like parts prior to starting the engine. The engine started and ran. Inspection of the fuel pump which was removed revealed "heavy corrosion throughout the fuel pump. ... The fuel pump was white with corrosion throughout most of the interior of the pump." The inspectors also reported the fuel injector unit had a "white corrosion powder" in most every port and opening. Water was present in several locations; however, the water could have been a result of the power washing. The fuel injector finger screen was corroded on the external side of the screen. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N101KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101KT-2000-02-25), registration cancelled 2000-02-25, S/N 960663 (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: 960663 - Airframe hours: 4693 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Kansas State University Salina - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1998, 0 hours before - Departed: SLN - Airport: SLN, Salina ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,349 total, 15 in this make and model, 4,222 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLN ## 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 19980731019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980731019149A), Jul 31, 1998: Hughes 269A, Salina, KS, Substantial damage. Helicopter was working traffic to west sod practice area and while turning crosswind at approximately 300 AGL, called mayday and crashed just outside airport… 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.