# NTSB FTW82FPJ15: Hughes 269, N8873F, Boise City, OK, July 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1982, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Boise City, OK
- Location: 36.7313° N, 102.5095° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boise City, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7313&lon=-102.5095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPJ15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPJ15

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, landing - flare/touchdown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - power on landing - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Other gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - failure,total
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD COMPLETED CONDUCTING TESTS WITH DYED WATER TO DETERMINE SPRAY PATTERN & COVERAGE AFTER RECENTLY INSTALLING SPECIAL PURPOSE AERIAL APPLICATION EQUIPMENT. WHILE APPROACHING FOR A LANDING AT A FORWARD SPEED OF 15-20 MPH & DESCENDING RAPIDLY HE APPLIED THROTTLE & COLLECTIVE TO FLARE. THE PLT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN NECESSARY POWER TO FLARE & THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NEAR-LEVEL ATTITUDE COLLAPSING THE RIGHT LANDING SKID.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8873F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8873F-1998-01-08), registration cancelled 1998-01-08, S/N 630241 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 63-0241
- Airframe hours: 2111
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Miller Aero
- Registered owner: Miller Aero
- Departed: BOISE CITY, OK
- Destination: BOISE CITY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 913 total, 70 in this make and model, 809 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F

## 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 19820717029929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820717029929A), Jul 17, 1982: Hughes 269A, Boise City, OK, Substantial damage. Landing after testing spray rig, was unable to flare due to loss of power. Helicopter rolled over forward.

## Other investigations on N8873F (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 LAX95LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA136), Mar 16, 1995: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Van Nuys, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the operation of the helicopter with improper adjustment of the landing gear and main rotor dampers due to the inadequate maintenance inspection of the helicopter by maintenance personnel and an…
- [NTSB MKC760CQ73](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC760CQ73), Aug 7, 1976: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Alden, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI68F0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0016-109462), Jun 4, 1968: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Richmond, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X3187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3187), Aug 2, 1964: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Buffalo, NY, 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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