# NTSB FTW91LA041: Hughes 269C, N8973F, Knowles, OK, February 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1991, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Knowles, OK
- Location: 36.8729° N, 100.1924° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Knowles, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8729&lon=-100.1924&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE MANEUVER AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING THE GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - emergency procedure - simulated
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT DECIDED TO EXECUTE A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION TO A PASTURE FROM AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 1,000 FEET AGL.  HOWEVER, DURING THE MANEUVER, WHICH WAS INITIATED IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS, THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE MANEUVER AND GO AROUND, BUT AFTER APPLYING POWER, HE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE SINK RATE BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8973F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8973F), registered now, S/N 430195, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 430195
- Airframe hours: 2605
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley J. Barby
- Registered owner: Stanley J. Barby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 1990, 120 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BEAVER, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,445 total, 1,445 in this make and model, 1,376 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °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 19910218002599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910218002599A), Feb 18, 1991: Hughes 269C, Knowles, OK, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor RPM decay on practice autorotation to a pasture. Impacted hard chopping tailboom. Gusty wind a factor

## Other investigations on N8973F (1)

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 MKC81DCJ18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCJ18), Jun 26, 1981: Hughes 269C (N8973F), Union, NE, 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.

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