# NTSB ERA22LA180: Hughes 269A, N7057L, Fort White, FL, April 2, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 2, 2022, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Fort White, FL - Coordinates: 29.992609, -82.709709 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9926&lon=-82.7097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104895 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104895/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104895 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA180 ## Probable cause The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: instrument flight capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061055): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061055/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061055/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The weather when the non-instrument-rated helicopter pilot initiated the flight included a ceiling of 250 ft mean sea level (msl) and visibility of ½ mile, which corresponded to instrument meteorological conditions. After flying for 15 minutes, the helicopter “entered a wall of fog.” The pilot attempted to turn the helicopter around and return to an area of better visibility; however, the tail rotor impacted trees. The pilot did not realize that the helicopter was in a right turn and reduced engine power. The helicopter descended to ground in a bank, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. According to the helicopter owner’s maintenance and flight manual, “instrument flight [is] prohibited.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7057L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7057L), registered now, S/N 1281052, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1281052 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 13948.2 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tri County Rentals And Sales Inc - Registered owner: Tri County Rentals And Sales Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2021, 6.3 hours before - Departed: 15FL, Lake City, FL - Destination: Trenton, FL - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft indefinitevv - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GNV, 29 nm away - METAR: KGNV 021335Z 10004KT 1/4SM FG VV002 18/18 A3004 RMK AO2 T01830178 ## 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 20220402004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220402004879A), Apr 2, 2022: Hughes 269A, Fort White, FL, Substantial damage. On 04/02/2022, N7057L, a Hughes 269A helicopter, (not equipped for instrument flight), crashed at approximately 10:29AM at the intersection of state road 47… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104895. 20.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 19.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13672098&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA180%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13672586&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20pilot%20statement%20Mr.%20Marquis-Rel.pdf - Helicopter owner's manual excerpt (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 456 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13672316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Owners%20Manual%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf - Investigative photograph (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13672488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA180-Rel.pdf 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.