# NTSB FTW85FA130: Hughes 269C, N9664F, San Antonio, TX, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 18:00 local (Mar 3, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.32061, -98.469665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3206&lon=-98.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA130

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command(cfi)
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A ZERO GROUND SPEED PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. A HIGH SINK DEVELOPED AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT FOR DECREASING ROTOR RPM, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND TAIL FIRST AND ROLLED OVER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXPERIENCED HELICOPTER PLT WHO WITNESSES THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE AUTOROTATIONS WERE TERMINATED ABRUPTLY WITH AN EXTREMELY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9664F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9664F-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 210095 (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: 210095
- Airframe hours: 8111
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: City Of San Antonio
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Airport: SSF, Stinson Fld.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 2,700 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 12 nm away

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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