# NTSB FTW85LA239: Hughes 300, N9660F, Lake Worth, TX, May 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1985, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Lake Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.849159, -97.479751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8492&lon=-97.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, landing - flare/touchdown
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE UNDERGOING HELICOPTER TRANSITION TRAINING FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHO HOLDS NO INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE, THE NEW OWNER'S SON HAD BEEN PRACTICING PWR RECOVERY AUTOROTATIONS. THE ENG FAILED TO RESPOND TO APPLICATION OF THROTTLE, AND A FULL AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED, UNSUCCESSFULLY. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBTANTIAL DAMAGE IN A HARD LANDING. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9660F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9660F-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 110089, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 300
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 110089
- Airframe hours: 2771
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bob O. Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: SUMM, FORT WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850530025749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850530025749A), May 30, 1985: Hughes 269C, Lake Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Hard landing during power recovery autorotations. No engine discrepancies. PIC not CFI rated, SIC not RH rated.

## Other investigations on N9660F (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 NYC01LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA131), May 28, 2001: Hughes 269C (N9660F), Fairfield, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during takeoff, and his inadequate reconnoiter of the area prior to takeoff.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.