# NTSB LAX84LA455: Hughes 269B, N9380F, Goleta, CA, August 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1984, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Location: 34.4354° N, 119.8589° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Goleta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4354&lon=-119.8589&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA455
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA455

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS PRACTICING DURING SOLO FLT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING AN AERIAL TAXI. THE STUDENT EXPLAINEDTHAT AFTER A NORMAL LANDING HE PULLED ENOUGH COLLECTIVE TO MAKE THE ACFT LIGHT ON THE SKIDS AND PROCEEDED TO TAXI ALONG THE GROUND BY ADVANCING THE CYCLIC CONTROL. THE ACFT SUDDENLY PITCHED FOWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES HITTHE GROUND THE ACFT BROKE APART. AN INSPECTION SHOWED 3 FT OF THE RIGHT SKID WAS BROKEN OFF. NO PRE-EXISTING IRREGULARITIES WERE OBSERVED THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9380F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9380F-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 64-0096, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 640096
- Airframe hours: 1999
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Santa Barbara Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 12, 1984, 96 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 57 total, 57 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 6 nm away

## 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 19840825043629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840825043629A), Aug 25, 1984: Hughes 269B, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter skid struck the ground during a practice aerial taxi from a hover. Impact broke off part of right skid.

## Other investigations on N9380F (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 SEA91LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA137), Jun 19, 1991: Hughes 269B (N9380F), Warrenton, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ROTOR SPEED DURING A SIMULATED AUTOROTATION.
- [NTSB MIA76FLG53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLG53), Sep 11, 1976: Hughes 269B (N9380F), Batesburg, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA73FLG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73FLG01-201644), Jul 13, 1973: Hughes 269B (N9380F), Wagener, SC, substantial damage

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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