# NTSB FTW02LA038: Hughes 269C, N9294F, Richmond, TX, November 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 17, 2001, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Richmond, TX - Coordinates: 29.580162, -95.760017 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5802&lon=-95.7600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53794 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53794/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA038 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The private pilot, who was not helicopter rated, was attempting to land the helicopter near a friend's house when the main rotor blades contacted power lines. The helicopter landed hard and came to rest upright in a grass field. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades, the main rotor blades were bent and fractured, and the skids were spread up and outward, level with the bottom of the cabin section. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 2001, approximately 1730 central standard time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9294F, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines while landing at a field near Richmond, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed Damon, Texas, approximately 1710. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the private pilot, who was not helicopter rated, was attempting to land the helicopter near a friend's house when the main rotor blades contacted power lines. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard and came to rest upright in a grass field. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades, the main rotor blades were bent and fractured, and the skids were spread up and outward, level with the bottom of the cabin section. Due to injuries sustained during the accident, the pilot was unavailable for an interview and unable to provide a written statement of the event. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9294F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9294F-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 650421, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 650421 - Airframe hours: 1708 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Christopher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2001 - Departed: Damon, TX - Destination: Richmond, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 18, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20011117037809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011117037809A), Nov 17, 2001: Hughes 269C, Richmond, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 17, 2001, approximately 1800 central standard time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9294F, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines… ## Other investigations on N9294F (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 CHI95LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA029), Nov 2, 1994: Hughes 269C (N9294F), Garden City, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: inadvertant engagement of the rotor drive system, while the helicopter had been left unattended by the pilot. 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.