# NTSB FTW90FA164: Hughes 269C, N223TV, Shreveport, LA, August 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1990, 17:48 local (22:48 UTC)
- Place: Shreveport, LA
- Location: 32.5252° N, 93.7502° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shreveport, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5252&lon=-93.7502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE LACK OF VISUAL QUES DUE TO THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, THE GROUND OBSERVER'S LACK OF ASSISTANCE AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION, AND THE OBSTRUCTION (TRANSMISSION LINE).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not performed, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - attempted, pilot in command
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT & A PHOTOGRAPHER WERE ON A TRAFFIC WATCH/PHOTO FLT.  A REQUEST WAS MADE FOR THE PLT TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT TO DELIVER VIDEO TAPES TO A GROUND CREW.  A RELATIVELY NEW GROUND OBSERVER WAS TO HELP KEEP THE HELICOPTER CLEAR OF OBSTACLES.  THE PLT SAID HE WAS TOLD THE SELECTED LANDING AREA WAS CLEAR & THAT HE PERFORMED A 'HIGH RECONNAISSANCE CHECK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS.'  HOWEVER, DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND AT DUSK, NEITHER THE PLT NOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER SAW POWER LINES THAT CROSSED THE LANDING AREA UNTIL MOMENTS BEFORE THE SKIDS SNAGGED THE POWER LINES.  THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N223TV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N223TV-1994-12-21), registration cancelled 1994-12-21, S/N 1290868 (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: 1290868
- Airframe hours: 1735
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Ktbs, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1990, 84 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,350 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,260 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19900824036259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900824036259A), Aug 24, 1990: Hughes 269C, Shreveport, LA, Substantial damage. Struck a powerline on landing approach to parking lot and nose dived to ground. Ground observer failed to see wire.

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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