# NTSB FTW01LA205: Hughes 269-C, N7472F, Lubbock, TX, September 8, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 2001, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.525001, -101.783332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5250&lon=-101.7833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53435/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA205 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power while maneuvering for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was a malfunction of the spray system. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - spray/dusting equipment - malfunction - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis Several witnesses near the accident site observed smoke and fire trailing from the helicopter while on an aerial application flight. The pilot also felt heat and saw smoke in the cockpit, which was followed by a loss of engine power. A witness, who was driving in a truck next to the cotton field, reported that he observed the helicopter flying about 20-25 feet in the air when it "suddenly fell at a slight angle, fell from the sky, and hit the ground, sending white smoke and dust." After the accident, the pilot stated that he thought that the spray system had malfunctioned which resulted in chemicals being pumped into the engine. A detailed examination of the helicopter and the engine did not reveal a reason for the loss of engine power. There was no evidence found on the airframe of an in-flight fire, however, there was some thermal damage found on the spray system. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 2001, approximately 1345 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N7472F, registered to and operated by Aero Management Inc., of Olton, Texas, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of engine power in the vicinity of Lubbock, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Town and Country Airpark, Lubbock, Texas, at 1320. The pilot reported that he saw smoke and felt heat in the cockpit which was followed by a loss of engine power while he was applying pesticides to a cotton field. In the enclosed NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot added that "the spray system broke, pumped chemicals into hot engine, causing fire and smoke which suffocated the engine and resulted in loss of engine power." A witness, who was driving in a truck next to the cotton field, reported that he observed the helicopter flying about 20-25 feet in the air when it "suddenly fell at a slight angle, fell from the sky, and hit the ground, sending white smoke and dust." Several witnesses near the accident site reported smoke trailing from the engine compartment and 2 witnesses reported flames coming from the rear of the helicopter. Four witnesses provided written statements. The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered to a secured location at the Town and Country Airport for a detailed examination under the supervision of an FAA inspector. No fuel or oil leaks were found. No evidence of an engine malfunction or powerplant anomalies were found. Fuel was found in the fuel cell. There was no evidence of a post-impact fire. Also, the FAA inspector who examined the wreckage did not find evidence of an in-flight fire on the airframe. However, components of the spray system showed some thermal damage. The reason for the loss of engine power was not conclusively determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7472F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7472F-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 270556 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269-C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Aero Management Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: F81, Lubbock, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 4, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 15,400 total, 100 in this make and model, 15,204 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: LBB ## 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 20010908025489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010908025489A), Sep 8, 2001: Hughes 269C, Lubbock, TX, No damage. (-23) Pilot had just started the first spray pass in this field, he had flown several flights earlier in the day. He was about 800 feet into the field when he… ## Other investigations on N7472F (1) 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 DEN79FTE44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FTE44), Jun 12, 1979: Hughes 269C (N7472F), Eckley, CO, 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.