# NTSB FTW90LA074: Hughes 269C, N7504A, Houma, LA, February 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1990, 09:08 local (15:08 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Location: 29.5665° N, 90.6604° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HOUMA-TERREBONNE (HUM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5665&lon=-90.6604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA074

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A SUPERVISED INSTRUCTIONAL SOLO FLIGHT, THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT 150 FEET AGL AND 60 KNOTS. HE REPORTED THAT AS HE APPLIED UP COLLECTIVE, THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR RPM FLUCTUATED. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY AND ANALYSIS REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7504A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7504A-2005-09-20), registration cancelled 2005-09-20, S/N S1195, built 1985 (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: S1195
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Count Louie Ltd
- Airport: HUM, Houma, runway 18, 5,000 × 200 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 11,863 total, 29 in this make and model, 11,342 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Observed at: HUM

## 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 19900224002809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900224002809A), Feb 24, 1990: Hughes 269C, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. Approach to practice hover, noted rotor and RPM decay. Auto rotated to hard landing. Student helilcopter pilot.

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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