# NTSB FTW03TA190: Hughes 269A, N81170, Freer, TX, July 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: July 30, 2003, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Freer, TX - Coordinates: 27.594999, -98.620277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5950&lon=-98.6203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office (SW17)) - NTSB case key (mKey): 57604 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03TA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57604/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03TA190 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter lost engine power while maneuvering at approximately 60 feet AGL. The pilot heard a "different sound emitted by the engine" that was "followed by a rapid decrease of engine rpm." The 4,700-hour pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby field, and landed hard. Examination of the engine was conducted at the accident site. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine. The clutch was engaged, the magnetos fired, and flight control continuity was verified. No anomalies were found on the engine that would have prevented normal operations. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2003, at 1215 central daylight time, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N81170, registered to and operated by Texas' Jim Hogg County, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Freer, Texas. The single-engine-land, helicopter-rated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the public use flight. The flight originated from Jim Hogg County Airport, near Hebbronville, Texas, at an unknown time. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the County Deputy stated that the pilot and passenger were conducting low-level flight and practicing touch and go landings. Approximately 60 feet AGL the pilot heard a "different sound emitted by the engine" that was "followed by a rapid decrease of engine rpm." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby field, and landed hard. The pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 4,700 hours, of which 3,804 were in helicopters, with 410 hours in the accident aircraft. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported the three main rotor blades were still attached, but one broke in half. The tail boom was severed and the tail rotor blades were intact. The left main landing skid was detached and found approximately 40 feet from the tail boom. An examination of the 160-horsepower Lycoming engine was conducted by the FAA inspector at the accident site. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine. The clutch was engaged, the magnetos fired, and flight control continuity was verified. No anomalies were found on the engine that would have prevented normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81170](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81170-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 380818 (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: 380818 - Airframe hours: 11728.6 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: Jim Hogg County Sheriff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, May 26, 2003, 74.6 hours before - Departed: KHBV, Hebbronville, TX - Destination: Freer, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 4,700 total, 410 in this make and model, 3,996 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg 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.