# NTSB DEN82DA119: Hughes 269C, N9626F, Ronan, MT, June 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1982, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Ronan, MT
- Coordinates: 47.529933, -114.129135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5299&lon=-114.1291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA119

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static (cause)
  - procedures/directives - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

AFTER SPRAYING THE FIELD, THE PILOT WAS MAKING AN "END SWATH" WHEN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED AFTER A WIRE WRAPPED AROUND THE SWASH PLATE AND DAMAGED THE CONTROLS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FAILED TO SEE THE WIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9626F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9626F-1994-06-22), registration cancelled 1994-06-22, S/N 800034 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 800034
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: James O. Courtney
- Registered owner: James O. Courtney
- Departed: RONAN, MT
- Destination: RONAN, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 16,435 total, 70 in this make and model, 16,180 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19820628056919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820628056919A), Jun 28, 1982: Hughes 269C, Ronan, MT, Substantial damage. Helicopter collided with powerlines during swath run.

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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