# NTSB LAX82FA343: Hughes 269C, N8651F, North Highlands, CA, September 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1982, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: North Highlands, CA
- Location: 38.6713° N, 121.3721° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Highlands, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6713&lon=-121.3721&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA343
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72035/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA343

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, check pilot (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, check pilot (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate
  - altitude - inadequate

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO CONDUCT A ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTER CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) CHECK RIDE FOR THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC). THE CHECK PILOT WAS AN FAA INSPECTOR WITH NO PREVIOUS FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, HE HAD 1816 HRS TOTAL TIME WITH 78 HRS HELICOPTER TIME PRIMARILY IN BELL 47 & 206 AIRCRAFT. THE FIRST PART OF THE CHECK FLIGHT WAS NORMAL EXCEPT WHEN IT WAS INTERUPTED FOR POLICE WORK. DURING THE COURSE OF THE CHECK FLIGHT, THE EXAMINER CHOPPED THE POWER TO SIMULATE AN EMERGENCY AS THE PIC WAS CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 285 FT AGL AT 42 KTS. THE PIC STATED THAT HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE & THE NEEDLES SPLIT. THERE WAS A LOSS OF ROTOR RPM. HE PUT THE HELICOPTER IN A DIVE & ROLLED THE THROTTLE ON IN INCREMENTS, BUT COULD NOT GET THE NEEDLES TO MARRY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND ON THE HEEL OF THE LEFT SKID, THEN ROLLED OVER. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION/FAILURE FOUND.ACCORDING TO THE 269C HEIGHT/VELOCITY DIAGRAM, THE EXAMINER CHOPPED THE POWER CLOSE TO THE MINIMUM LIMITS FOR SPEED/ALT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8651F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8651F-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 870626, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 87626
- Airframe hours: 4422
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-36-DIA 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sacramento Co. Sheriff'S Dept.
- Registered owner: Sacramento Co. Sheriff'S Dept.
- Departed: NORTH HIGHLANDS, CA
- Destination: NORTH HIGHLANDS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,136 total, 900 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 31° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 178 °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 19820913048629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820913048629A), Sep 13, 1982: Hughes 269C, North Highlands, CA, Destroyed. On FAA check ride. Cut power at 285 feet AGL for autorotation power recovery. Needles split. No power. Hard impact.

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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