# NTSB LAX82DVM16: Hughes 269C, N1105B, Salinas, CA, May 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1982, 10:34 local (17:34 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Location: 36.6624° N, 121.6072° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SALINAS MUNI (SNS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6624&lon=-121.6072&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 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DVM16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DVM16

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PRACTICE HOVERING. HE REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 280 DEGREES AT 9 KNOTS. HE STATED THAT WHILE HOVERING, HE TURNED TO A DOWNWIND HEADING WHEN A GUST OF WIND SPUN THE HELICOPTER TO THE RIGHT. HE CORRECTED WITH THE LEFT PEDAL BUT THE HELICOPTER KEPT SPINNING TO THE RIGHT AS HE SET THE HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND, AND THE TAIL BOOM, TAIL ROTOR, SKIDS, AND LOWER FRAME WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1105B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 411030
- Airframe hours: 42
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: J. J. Viglini
- Registered owner: J. J. Viglini
- Departed: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Destination: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Airport: SNS, Salinas, runway 36, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 108 total, 83 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast

## 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 19820517016729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820517016729A), May 17, 1982: Hughes 269C, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. Student lost control hovering in gusty winds. Hard landing damaged skid and rotors.

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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