# NTSB FTW90FA183: Hughes 269A, N403SD, Kingsville, TX, September 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1990, 08:59 local (13:59 UTC)
- Place: Kingsville, TX
- Location: 27.5092° N, 97.8610° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kingsville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5092&lon=-97.8610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA183

## Probable cause

THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LEFT FLANGE ON THE TAIL BOOM SADDLE FITTING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - fatigue (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A CATTLE HERDING FLIGHT AND WAS FLYING AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL, WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL BOOM ASSEMBLY SEPARATED.  THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT, THEN IT NOSED OVER AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FLANGE ON THE TAIL BOOM SADDLE FITTING (PN: 269A2324) HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE, WHICH RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N403SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N403SD-1996-06-21), registration cancelled 1996-06-21, S/N 270676 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0676A
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Short, J. C., doing business as Western Helicopters
- Departed: NONE, KINGSVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Observed at: CRP, 38 nm away

## 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 19900917039529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900917039529A), Sep 17, 1990: Hughes TH55A, Kingsville, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Tailboom separated in flight. Entered spin and crashed. Saddle flange fractured. Stabilizer not approved civil use.

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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