# NTSB FTW84LA061: Hughes 269C, N50638, Freer, TX, November 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1983, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Freer, TX
- Coordinates: 27.880783, -98.610946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8808&lon=-98.6109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA061

## 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)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & 2 PASSENGERS WERE ON A FLT TO LOOK FOR DEER IN A PASTURE AREA. WHILE IN A TURN AFTER THE LAST PASS OVER THE PASTURE, THE ENG LOST POWER AT APRX 150 FT AGL. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN AN AREA OF MESQUITE BRUSH & BUSHES. HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON A MESQUITE BUSH & THEN ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG WAS STARTED & OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50638](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50638-2001-03-22), registration cancelled 2001-03-22, S/N 811073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 811073
- Airframe hours: 645
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ben Kotzur
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1983, 123 hours before
- Departed: T19, FREER, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 341 total, 75 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °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 19831117057999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831117057999A), Nov 17, 1983: Hughes 269C, Freer, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing. Pilot claims power loss but investigation revealed no discrepancy.

## Other investigations on N50638 (1)

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 LAX00LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA328), Sep 7, 2000: Hughes 269C (N50638), Rancho Murieta, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during cruise, which subsequently led to a wire strike.

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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