# NTSB FTW03CA233: Hughes 269C, N9620F, Gail, TX, September 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 28, 2003, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Gail, TX - Coordinates: 32.212501, -101.521385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2125&lon=-101.5214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58020 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03CA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58020/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03CA233 ## Probable cause The loss of control for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Prior to takeoff, the helicopter was facing in an aft direction on a transport trailer, and the pilot had completed a preflight inspection on the helicopter. During takeoff, the helicopter "felt like it was hung on something." Subsequently, the helicopter blades impacted terrain, and the helicopter came to rest on adjacent to the trailer. The reason for the loss of control was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 28, 2003, at 0830 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C single-engine helicopter, N9620F, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from a transport trailer near Gail, Texas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 9,146-hour pilot reported to an NTSB investigator, that prior to takeoff, the helicopter was facing in an aft direction on a transport trailer, and he completed a preflight inspection on the helicopter. The pilot added that during takeoff, the helicopter "felt like it was hung on something." Subsequently, the pilot lost control of the helicopter an the main rotor blades impacted terrain, and the helicopter came to rest adjacent to the trailer. Examination of the helicopter, by an FAA inspector who responded to the site of the accident, revealed that the tail boom was separated and all three main rotor blades were damaged. Examination of the transport trailer revealed during the accident sequence, the trailer was moved "approximately 6 feet straight back" from its original position. One of the helicopter tie down chains was found spread across the top of the trailer. No damage was noted on the transport trailer, or tie down chain. The reason for the loss of control was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9620F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9620F-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N 700020, built 1970 (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: UNK - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank Menix - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Gail, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 9,146 total, 8,900 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20030928022709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030928022709A), Sep 28, 2003: Hughes 269C, Gail, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 28, 2003, Hughes aircraft, N9620F, attempted take-off from a transport trailer located 6 miles north of Gail, Texas. Immediately as the… ## Other investigations on N9620F (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 SEA72DYA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYA29), Apr 9, 1972: Hughes 269C (N9620F), Soda Springs, ID, 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.