# NTSB FTW87LA008: Hughes 269C, N8970F, Monahans, TX, October 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1986, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Monahans, TX
- Coordinates: 31.540332, -102.840965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5403&lon=-102.8410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, taxi - aerial
  - fuel system,nozzle - blocked(total) (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - output low (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - vehicle (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A PARTIAL LOSS OF PWR AFTER LIFTOFF FROM A TRAILER. THE ACFT SETTLED BACK DOWN ONTO THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER AND SUBSEQUENTLY ROLLED OVER. THE ENG CONTINUED TO RUN FOLLOWING THE ROLL OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED A 175 RPM MAG DROP DURING HIS RUN UP, BUT HAD ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE FLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 2 CYL FUEL INJECTOR NOZZLE WAS CLOGGED AND THAT THE RIGHT MAGNETO WAS WEAK AND NOT FIRING PROPERLY. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION IN THE MAGNETO COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8970F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8970F-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 840336, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 840336
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Frank D. Menix
- Registered owner: Farmers Aerial Spraying Serv.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,948 total, 4,743 in this make and model, 4,859 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19861024075519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861024075519A), Oct 24, 1986: Hughes 269C, Monahans, TX, Destroyed. The engine lost power and struck a trailer on liftoff. The pilot noted a defective magneto on runup but continued.

## Other investigations on N8970F (2)

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 FTW79FPD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPD12), Mar 26, 1979: Hughes 269C (N8970F), Wichita Falls, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW76DRG62](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DRG62), Jun 26, 1976: Hughes 269C (N8970F), Lampasas, 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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