# NTSB FTW81FA146: Hughes 269C, N8322F, Startzville, TX, September 21, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 21, 1981
- Place: Startzville, TX · STARTZVILLE, TX
- Location: 29.8447° N, 98.2739° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Startzville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8447&lon=-98.2739&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA146
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA146

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3414  81/9/21  NR.STARTZVILLE,TX     HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  1  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 50, 5436
        TIME - 1712                    N8322F              PX-  1  0  0  SEARCH AND RESCUE         TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         STARTZVILLE,TX               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8322F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8322F-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 790812, built 1979 (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: Destroyed

## 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 19810921059719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810921059719A), Sep 21, 1981: Hughes 269C, Startzille, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into powerlines on takeoff. Rotors hit wires from underside. Helicopter crashed inverted.

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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