# NTSB FTW83FA343: Hughes 269C, N8995F, Houston, TX, July 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1983, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.650487, -95.280334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6505&lon=-95.2803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA343

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - flare - not possible, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - autorotation - not attained, copilot/second pilot (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A RELATIVELY HIGH SPEED DESCENT WHILE IN A SLIGHT NOSE-LOW AND LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. THE ACFT HAD BEEN CIRCLING AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 600 FT MSL AWAITING CLEARANCE TO LAND. THE PIC IN THE LEFT SEAT, WHO WAS NOT FLYING THE ACFT, SAID HE FELT NO YAW OR CHANGE IN SOUND BUT SUDDENLY THE GROUND WAS COMING UP AND HE THOUGHT HE OBSERVEDLOW ROTOR RPM. THE NEXT THING HE REMEMBERS IS BEING IN PAIN ON THE GROUND ON HIS BACK. NEITHER THE ENGINE NOR THE ROTORSWERE OPERATING AT IMPACT AS VERIFIED BY OBSERVATION OF THE WRECKAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENG AND ALL OF ITS ACCESSORIES WERE CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8995F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8995F-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 240278, 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 HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 240278
- Airframe hours: 2635
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: City Of Houston Health Dept.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,845 total, 257 in this make and model, 896 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 7 nm away

## 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 19830720037069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830720037069A), Jul 20, 1983: Hughes 269C, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Allowed rotor RPM to decay during low altitude holding pattern. Helicopter dived into ground. Low power at impact.

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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