# NTSB FTW91FA123: Hughes 269B, N11XC, Brickeys, AR, July 18, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 1991, 07:25 local (12:25 UTC) - Place: Brickeys, AR - Coordinates: 34.84909, -90.580635 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8491&lon=-90.5806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 23269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23269/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA123 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE DUE TO FRAYING WHICH INITIATED THE FORCED LANDING AND THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO PERFORM RECOMMENDED INSPECTIONS ON THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - failure,total - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - separation - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - frayed (cause) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED VERTICALLY IN A HEAVILY WOODED SWAMP. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED WITH A HIGH VERTICAL RATE OF DESCENT AND LOW ROTOR RPM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE BELT DRIVE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT CABLE HAD SEPARATED DUE TO ABRASION CAUSED BY INTERNAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE CABLE AND ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS. SEPARATION OF THE CABLE RESULTED IN A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. REVIEW OF THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT TOTAL TIME ON THE CABLE; HOWEVER, THE RECORDS DID INDICATE THAT THE CABLE HAD LAST BEEN DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED ABOUT 636.8 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE INFORMATION NOTICE HAD BEEN ISSUED ON THE CABLE ASSEMBLY WHICH REQUIRED AN INITIAL INSPECTION WITHIN 50 HOURS AND A RECURRING INSPECTION EVERY 400 HOURS THEREAFTER, UNTIL THE UNIT WAS REPLACED WITH AN IMPROVED MODEL. THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS DID NOT INDICATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE INFORMATION NOTICE; HOWEVER, THE OPERATOR STATED THAT THE INSPECTIONS WERE BEING PERFORMED. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11XC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11XC-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N 0102, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B - Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 64-102 - Airframe hours: 3877 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Southern Flying Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Southern Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 14, 1992, 17 hours before - Departed: MO1, MEMPHIS, TN - Destination: 55M, STAR CITY, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,498 total, 539 in this make and model, 6,598 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots, gusting 2 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 28 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 19910718027969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910718027969A), Jul 18, 1991: Hughes 269B, Brickeys, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Main rotor clutch cable broke,helicopter dropped into wooded swamp. Cable broke due rubbing on cable guide. ## Other investigations on N11XC (4) 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. - [NTSB CEN10CA469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA469), Aug 7, 2010: Hughes 269B (N11XC), Lakeview, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition. - [NTSB ATL95LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA053), Feb 18, 1995: Schweizer 269B (N11XC), Addison, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL DURING A DESCENT WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. - [NTSB MKC76DCA07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCA07), Aug 6, 1975: Hughes 269B (N11XC), Kennett, MO, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW74FPM15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FPM15), Dec 22, 1973: Hughes 269B (N11XC), Tulsa, OK, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.