# NTSB FTW88LA080: Hughes 269C, N58332, Tomball, TX, March 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1988, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.089796, -95.609115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0898&lon=-95.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA080

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt
- Roll over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

AS THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE PORTABLE LANDING PLATFORM, IT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CONTACTED THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE SKID WAS CAUGHT ON THE PLATFORM OR IF IT SLID OFF THE SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58332](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58332-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 490778, built 1979 (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: 490778
- Airframe hours: 3187
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Omega Helicopter
- Registered owner: Powell Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1987, 41 hours before
- Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 440 total, 296 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19880315005359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880315005359A), Mar 15, 1988: Hughes 269C, Tomball, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control of helicopter after liftoff from a dolly. Helicopter rolled on its side due to dynamic rollover effect

## Other investigations on N58332 (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 LAX07CA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA267), Sep 3, 2007: Hughes 269C (N58332), Ramona, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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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