# NTSB FTW89LA010: Hughes 269C, N7463F, Dickens, TX, October 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1988, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Dickens, TX
- Coordinates: 33.620922, -100.830299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6209&lon=-100.8303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - misc rotorcraft,tail pylon - failure,total (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - bent (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS INSPECTING A HERD OF CATTLE WHEN HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER WAS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR. HE STARTED AN AUTOROTATION, LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL, AND WENT INTO A LEFT SPIN WHICH CONTINUED TO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION INDICATED AN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF THE TAIL ROTOR DUE TO A SHIFT OF THE TAIL BOOM AFTER FAILURE OF THE LEFT BOOM SUPPORT TUBE FITTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7463F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7463F), registered now, S/N 860534, built 1976 (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: 860534
- Airframe hours: 2736
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-DIA 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Drennen, Billy Steve
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1988, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,373 total, 2,373 in this make and model, 2,302 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19881027048319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881027048319A), Oct 27, 1988: Hughes 269C, Dickens, TX, Destroyed. Tail rotor support rod failed allowed tail boom to shift and tail rotor to break off. Made hard autorotation impact

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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