# NTSB FTW86LA138: Hughes 269C, N99803, Batesville, TX, July 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1986, 07:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Batesville, TX
- Coordinates: 28.939634, -99.610153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9396&lon=-99.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,strainer - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AT 60 FEET AGL. HE MADE A HARD LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD CAUSING THE ROTOR BLADES TO SEVERE THE TAIL BOOM ON TOUCHDOWN. ON EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM DEBRIS WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL STRAINER, CAUSING FUEL CONTAMINATION AND THUS A POWER LOSS TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99803](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99803-1991-06-12), registration cancelled 1991-06-12, S/N 700021 (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: 700021
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Sky Horse Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1986, 43 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860725036419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860725036419A), Jul 25, 1986: Hughes 269C, Batesville, TX, Substantial damage. Partial engine failure while gathering cattle. Hard landing after clearing trees. Debris in fuel strainer.

## Other investigations on N99803 (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 FTW79DQG25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DQG25), Mar 29, 1979: Hughes 269C (N99803), Big Lake, TX, substantial damage

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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