# NTSB FTW91LA050: Hughes 269A, N62269, Addison, TX, March 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1991, 17:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: Addison, TX
- Coordinates: 32.970726, -96.800254 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9707&lon=-96.8003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AS HE WAS ABOUT TO SET THE AIRCRAFT DOWN FROM A HOVER HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONG GUST OF WIND AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT.  HE WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE SPIN WITH FULL LEFT PEDAL.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS SPINNING TOWARD A HANGAR AND A FENCE AND THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR THE OBSTACLES.  THE PILOT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ABLE TO STOP THE SPIN BY REDUCING COLLECTIVE, HOWEVER, AS THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DESCEND IT STRUCK A TREE AND THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62269](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62269), registered now, S/N 160449 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 16-0449
- Airframe hours: 7260
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-BIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Potter, Richard J., Jr., doing business as Skylight Helicopters
- Registered owner: Hammer, Royce L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1991, 10 hours before
- Departed: CRS, CORSICANA, TX
- Airport: ADS, Addison

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,670 total, 17 in this make and model, 1,544 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910316005459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910316005459A), Mar 16, 1991: Hughes 269A, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Hovering to park on ramp,wind gust caused a loss of tail rotor effect. Struck tree and ground. Rolled over.

## Other investigations on N62269 (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 DFW05CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA144), Jun 1, 2005: Hughes 269A (N62269), Sherman, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The applicant's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter during a simulated power failure from a hover and the FAA inspector's delayed remedial action resulted in a dynamic rollover.

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.