# NTSB DEN01LA150: Hughes 269C, N502AA, Tucumcari, NM, August 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2001, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Tucumcari, NM - Coordinates: 35.155555, -104.072219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1556&lon=-104.0722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53315/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA150 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the unsuccessful low altitude flight maneuver, and the high density altitude weather conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - not successful, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - cliff ## Analysis The pilot stated that he flew for approximately one hour looking for stray cattle on his ranch. He was continuing his search on a mesa ridge when he noticed that the helicopter was losing altitude. The main rotor blades bean impacted 10 to 15 foot high cedars, and the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the ground. The density altitude was calculated to be approximately 7,938 feet, and the out of ground effect hover capability of the helicopter with these weather conditions was calculated to be 5,200 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2001, at approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N502AA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Tucumcari, New Mexico. The private pilot and his private pilot passenger were not injured. The T 4 Cattle Co. was operating the helicopter under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local cattle herding flight which had originated from a forward staging area approximately 1 hour before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that he and his son were looking for missing cattle on their ranch. He said that they were flying low on the side of a mesa, over a rough tree covered slope, when the helicopter began losing altitude. The main rotor blades began impacting 10 to 15 foot high cedars, and the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the ground. The right side of the cockpit was crushed in and the main rotor blades were bent. The pilot reported that the helicopter was powered by a 235 horsepower Lycoming engine. The helicopter's manufacturer records indicated that it was equipped with a Lycoming HIO-360-D1A, which produces 190 horsepower at 4,200 feet (which is the manufacturer's altitude rating). The pilot said that the accident elevation was approximately 4,500 feet, and that the temperature was 96 degrees Fahrenheit; the calculated density altitude was 7,938 feet. A manufacturer's representative calculated the out of ground effect hover capability of the helicopter, with an estimated 1,750 pounds gross weight, was 5,200 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N502AA-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 240281, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 240261 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: T 4 Cattle Co. LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Tucumcari, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: TCC ## 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 20010821024759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010821024759A), Aug 21, 2001: Hughes 269C, Tucumcari, NM, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 21, 2001, at approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N502AA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain… 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.