# NTSB FTW95LA011: Hughes 269C, N9616F, Livingston, TX, October 10, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 10, 1994, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Livingston, TX - Coordinates: 30.700853, -94.929214 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7009&lon=-94.9292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19280/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA011 ## Probable cause THE IMPROPER FLARE RESULTING IN AN UNDERSHOOT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. A FACTOR WAS THE BIRD STRIKE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - bird(s) (contributing factor) - airframe - vibration - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - touchdown - not attained, pilot in command - object - tree(s) ## Analysis DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AND SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND; HOWEVER, HE UNDER SHOT THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT AND STRUCK SOME TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE VIBRATION MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A BIRD STRIKE. ## Factual narrative On October 10, 1994, at 1430 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9616F, was destroyed during a forced landing. The commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. The pilot initially reported to a local law enforcement officer that he suspected that he had collided with a bird and the engine quit. He later stated that he was in cruise flight between 900 and 1,000 feet when he heard a loud bang followed by a severe vibration accompanied by a right and a left yaw. The pilot reported that he entered an autorotation, but ended up under shooting the landing area and struck several trees. In his enclosed report he reported that the vibration may have been the result of a bird strike. Examination of the helicopter at the site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the following. Physical evidence pointed to the helicopter under shooting an open field, and entering the trees in a tail low attitude. The battery switch was still in the on position, and the low fuel warning light was illuminated. There was no evidence of a fuel spillage and no fuel was found in the right fuel cell. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9616F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9616F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 700025, built 1970 (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: 700025 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-DIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Powell Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BPT, BEAUMONT, TX - Destination: DWH, HOUSTON, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,050 total, 950 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LFK, 29 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 19941010040779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941010040779A), Oct 10, 1994: Hughes 269C, Livingston, TX, Substantial damage. Crashed into wooded area. 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.