# NTSB FTW79FPD12: Hughes 269C, N8970F, Wichita Falls, TX, March 26, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 26, 1979
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX · WICHITA FALLS, TX
- Location: 33.9137° N, 98.4934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wichita Falls, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9137&lon=-98.4934&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FPD12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPD12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0626  79/3/26  NR.WICHITA FALLS,TX   HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 27, 233
        TIME - 0800                    N8970F              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 171 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         WICHITA FALLS,TX             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ROLL OVER                                                TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           40                                                      180
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           14                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8970F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8970F-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 840336, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790326008439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790326008439A), Mar 26, 1979: Hughes 269C, Wichita Falls, TX, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff in a 23 mph wind. Aircraft flight manual states aircraft controllable in a 20 mph wind.

## Other investigations on N8970F (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 FTW87LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA008), Oct 24, 1986: Hughes 269C (N8970F), Monahans, TX, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW76DRG62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DRG62), Jun 26, 1976: Hughes 269C (N8970F), Lampasas, TX, 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.

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