# NTSB FTW81FQG04: Hughes 269B, N9397F, Girard, TX, October 26, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 26, 1980
- Place: Girard, TX · GIRARD, TX
- Location: 33.3635° N, 100.6597° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Girard, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3635&lon=-100.6597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127787
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FQG04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FQG04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2970  80/10/26 NR.GIRARD,TX          HUGHES 269B         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 1596
        TIME - 0900                    N9397F              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 1411 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         GIRARD,TX                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- HERDING CATTLE.TAIL ROTOR BLADES FAILED WHILE HOVERING OVR TALL BRUSH.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9397F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9397F-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 84-0127, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, 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 19801026058349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801026058349A), Oct 26, 1980: Hughes 269B, Girard, TX, Destroyed. Indicates tail rotor struck brush during hover while herding cattle.

## Other investigations on N9397F (4)

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 IAD76FIG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76FIG16), May 31, 1976: Hughes 269B (N9397F), Gaithersburgh, MD, substantial damage
- [NTSB IAD74DIG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74DIG19), Feb 13, 1974: Hughes 269B (N9397F), Gaithersburg, MD, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN68A0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68A0034), Jan 26, 1968: Hughes 269B (N9397F), Sundance, WY, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN66A0010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66A0010), Jul 14, 1965: Hughes 269B (N9397F), Cody, WY, 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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