# NTSB FTW81FRA52: Hughes 269B, N9450F, Houston, TX, August 13, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 13, 1981
- Place: Houston, TX · HOUSTON, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123937
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FRA52
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRA52

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2566  81/8/13    HOUSTON,TX          HUGHES 269B         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1930                    N9450F              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 24, 245 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            145 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOUSTON INTCNTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUSTON,TX                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: ON GROUND                              TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: MAIN GEAR-SHOCK ABSORBING ASSY,STRUTS,ATTACHMENTS,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER ALIGNMENT/ADJUSTMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - GROUND RESONANCE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- AS PWR INCREASED TO 2800RPM FOR LIFT-OFF,ENCTRD SVR VIB.R REAR DAMPER FLAT,L FNT DAMPER SLGTLY HI.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9450F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9450F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 16-0227, built 1966 (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
- Airport: Houston Intcntl

## 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 19810813049389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810813049389A), Aug 13, 1981: Hughes 269B, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Vibration at moment of takeoff. Helicopter began self destruct and burned. Indicates a ground resonance condition.

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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