# NTSB FTW01LA109: Hughes 269B, N9508F, Nacogdoches, TX, April 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 27, 2001, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Nacogdoches, TX - Coordinates: 31.61037, -94.64952 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6104&lon=-94.6495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52191 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52191/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA109 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires during takeoff. Contributory factors were the sunglare and the unmarked wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter was parked on a trailer between two T-hangars and under a power line. The pilot stated that he cleared the area around the helicopter; however, he did not clear the area directly over the helicopter. The pilot lifted off the trailer and impacted the power line approximately 30 feet above the ground. The pilot mentioned that at the time of the accident, "the sun was at an angle and intensity so that the wires were not visible." He also stated that the wires were not marked with red balls. The power line wrapped around the main rotor mast and partially separated one of the main rotor blades. The helicopter then entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 2001, at 1740 central daylight time, a Hughes 269B helicopter, N9508F, was substantially damaged when it impacted wires and terrain during takeoff at the A.L. Mangham Jr. Regional Airport near Nacogdoches, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the helicopter was parked on a trailer between two T-hangars and under a power line. The pilot stated that he cleared the area around the helicopter; however, he did not clear the area directly over the helicopter. The pilot lifted off the trailer and impacted the power line approximately 30 feet above the ground. The pilot mentioned that at the time of the accident, "the sun was at an angle and intensity so that the wires were not visible." He also stated that the wires were not marked with red balls. The FAA inspector stated that the power line wrapped around the main rotor mast and partially separated one of the main rotor blades. The helicopter then descended and impacted the ground. The FAA inspector stated that the mast, main rotor blades and cabin area sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9508F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9508F-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 1070338 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269B - Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1070338 - Airframe hours: 10000 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger A. Buis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 2000 - Departed: OCH, Nacogdoches, TX - Destination: Nacogdoches, TX - Airport: OCH, A.L. Mangham Jr. Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 17, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 11,716 total, 200 in this make and model, 11,062 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20010427006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010427006979A), Apr 27, 2001: Hughes 269B, Nacogdoches, TX, Substantial damage. (.19)On April 27, 2001, at 1740 CDT, a Hughes 269B helicopter, N9508F, was substantially damaged when it impatched wires and terrain while repositioning at the… ## Other investigations on N9508F (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 DEN82FTM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTM07), Dec 15, 1981: Hughes 269B (N9508F), West Jordon, UT, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX72FUA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUA09), Aug 15, 1971: Hughes 269B (N9508F), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage 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.