# NTSB FTW95LA039: Hughes 269A, N10415, Monticello, AR, November 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 1994, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Monticello, AR - Coordinates: 33.619129, -91.79071 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6191&lon=-91.7907&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19300/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA039 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FATIGUED ROD END BOLT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - fatigue (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total - Forced landing, emergency landing - Roll over, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - wet ## Analysis DURING SPRAYING OPERATIONS THE HELICOPTER LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. DURING THE DESCENT THE PILOT BECAME AWARE OF A PILE OF LOGS IN HIS PATH SO HE EXTENDED THE GLIDE. TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE TO THE ONLY SPACE AVAILABLE AND THE AIRCRAFT SANK INTO SOFT/WET MUD AND ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO A FAILED PISTON ROD END RETAINING BOLT. ## Factual narrative On November 8, 1994, at 1445 central standard time, a Hughes 269A, N10415, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Monticello, Arkansas. The airplane, operated by ARKLATEX Helicopters, Inc., and flown by a commercial pilot, was on a local controlled burning defoliation flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. According to the pilot, he lost engine power and initiated an autorotation. During the descent, he extended his glide in order to clear a pile of logs. The aircraft subsequently touched down in a mud hole and rolled over on its right side. The pilot stated that after extricating himself from the wreckage, he noticed a piston push rod protruding from the case. He also reported that "suitable terrain for landing was not available in the immediate area." An examination of the aircraft revealed that it had sustained substantial damage to the airframe and dynamic components. The examination also revealed that the fuel system maintained its integrity and contained approximately 12 gallons of fuel. The engine casing exhibited evidence that a malfunction of the rod had occurred. Additional examination of the engine revealed that the rod end bolts had failed. Two bolts were forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board's Metallurgical Laboratories for detailed examination. Their examination revealed that the rod end bolts had failed in "fatigue" and that the bolt exhibited "fretting." Physical evidence demonstrated that the bolt "may have been initially installed with insufficient torque or became loose during service." The helicopter and all retained parts were released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10415](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10415-2021-06-05), registration cancelled 2021-06-05, S/N 760629, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 76-0629 - Airframe hours: 5157 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ark-La-Tex Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Anderson, Carl And Lisa - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1994, 36 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,736 total, 780 in this make and model, 2,516 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBF, 35 nm away ## Other investigations on N10415 (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 CHI86FER03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FER03), Mar 29, 1986: Hughes 269A (TH-55A) (N10415), Lakeville, MN, destroyed 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.