# NTSB DEN74FTE04: Hughes 269A1, N8803F, Ft.Collins, CO, July 6, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 6, 1973
- Place: Ft.Collins, CO · FT.COLLINS, CO
- Location: 40.5853° N, 105.0844° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Collins, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5853&lon=-105.0844&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN74FTE04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74FTE04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2542   73/7/6  NR.FT.COLLINS,COLO    HUGHES 269A1        CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0610                    N8803F              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 28, 4444 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            1660 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - VALLEY AIRPARK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         FT.COLLINS,COLO              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: MANEUVER TO AVOID OBSTRUCTION
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS - EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           MISCELLANEOUS - STATIC DISCHARGE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      70
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 2000                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  4950                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - ENTRY TO PROCEDURE TURN
        REMARKS- ATMTD STEEP TURN AT NR GROSS WT.DA 7000FT.OUTBD 25PCT M/R BLADES COATED W CHEM AND DIRT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8803F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8803F-1982-05-21), registration cancelled 1982-05-21, S/N 1120134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A1
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Valley Airpark

## 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 19730706023359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730706023359A), Jul 6, 1973: Hughes 269A, Ft.Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Atmtd steep turn at nr gross wt. Da 7000FT.outbd 25PCT m/r blades coated w chem and dirt.

## Other investigations on N8803F (2)

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 MIA69D0466](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0466), Apr 20, 1969: Hughes 269A (N8803F), Eustis, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC67A0041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0041), Aug 30, 1966: Hughes 269A (N8803F), Montoursville, PA, destroyed

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.

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