# NTSB FTW90LA065: Hughes 269C, N58204, Encinal, TX, February 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1990, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Encinal, TX
- Coordinates: 28.039981, -99.350021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0400&lon=-99.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA065

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - restricted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION OVER ROUGH TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT EXPEREINCED A LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE/DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO A FAILED TAIL ROTOR CABLE. THE PILOT FOLLOWED THE PUBLISHED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT, THEN ROLLED LEFT AND STRUCK THE GROUND ON ITS LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58204](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58204-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N 1280743 (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: 1280743
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Smith Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Fred Ash Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,291 total, 3,209 in this make and model, 3,211 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LRD, 39 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 19900210001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900210001899A), Feb 10, 1990: Hughes 269C, Encinal, TX, Substantial damage. Cattle herding. Tail rotor cable failed. Struck tree during autorotation landing. Impacted ground. Rolled over.

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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