# NTSB LAX81DVM30: Hughes 269C, N9675F, Aptos, CA, September 7, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 7, 1981
- Place: Aptos, CA · APTOS, CA
- Location: 36.9911° N, 121.8935° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Aptos, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9911&lon=-121.8935&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81DVM30
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVM30

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2356   81/9/7    APTOS,CA            HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 6330
        TIME - 1315                    N9675F              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 545 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATSONVILLE,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 5955                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - FRUIT ORCHARDS                            TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -HILLY
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  250                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
        REMARKS- COLLIDE W WIRE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9675F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810907062089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810907062089A), Sep 7, 1981: Hughes 269C, Aptos, CA, Substantial damage. Fatigued ag pilot struck wires mid field on a spray run. Wires not marked. No wire cutter on aircraft.

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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