# NTSB LAX84LA260: Hughes 269, N8773F, Mesa, AZ, April 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1984, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430393, -111.710968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4304&lon=-111.7110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA260

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD DURING AN AUTOROTATION DEMONSTRATION BY A CFI. DURING LANDING THE ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL ANDTHE ACFT WENT INTO GROUND RESONANCE. THE CFI SAID HE THOUGHT THE ACFT LOST TRANSITIONAL LIFT. HE RECOMMENDED NOT PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS ON A DAY WITH VARIABLE AND GUSTY WINDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8773F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8773F), registered now, S/N 0097 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-0097
- Airframe hours: 770
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Milton Barns
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P16, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,265 total, 269 in this make and model, 957 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: P16, 4 nm away

## Other investigations on N8773F (3)

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 ATL89LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA199), Aug 19, 1989: Hughes 269A (N8773F), Saluda, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LIFT-OFF AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
- [NTSB LAX83LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA340), Jul 16, 1983: Hughes 269 (N8773F), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI71FBJ38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FBJ38), Nov 11, 1970: Hughes 269A (N8773F), No.Muskegon, MI, 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.

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