# NTSB FTW86FRG06: Hughes 269C, N9283F, Batesville, TX, November 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1985, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Batesville, TX
- Coordinates: 28.94078, -99.610137 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9408&lon=-99.6101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRG06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENG PWR. THE PLT WAS PERFORMING CATTLE RANCHING OPERATIONS WHEN THE ENG SPUTTERED AND QUIT WHILE AT A LOW ALT. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO CLEAR TREES AND HIGH BRUSH, HOWEVER, A HARD LANDING RESULTED AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE WRECKAGE REPORTED FINDING WATER IN THE FUEL TANKS. AN ENG TEST RUN WAS PERFORMED AND THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9283F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9283F-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 850422, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- 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: 850422
- Airframe hours: 2838
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 4, 1985, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,898 total, 1,304 in this make and model, 4,818 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19851104062239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851104062239A), Nov 4, 1985: Hughes 269C, Batesville, TX, Substantial damage. While herding cattle at low altitude, engine quit. Hard landing after clearing trees. Water found in fuel tanks.

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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