# NTSB LAX85LA063: Hughes 269C, N8663F, Boulevard, CA, December 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1984, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Boulevard, CA
- Location: 32.6640° N, 116.2896° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boulevard, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6640&lon=-116.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT WAS EXECUTING LOW LEVEL PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF VALLEYS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ACFT ENTERED A NARROW VALLEY WITH STEEPLY RISING TERRAIN AHEAD. WHEN PLT REALIZED EXCESSIVE RATE OF CLIMB WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CLEAR OBSTACLES, HE ATTEMPTED A STEEP TURN-AROUND WHILE ACFT WAS CLIMBING SHARPLY. ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES AND BRUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8663F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8663F-2009-09-15), registration cancelled 2009-09-15, S/N 1070640, 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: 1070640
- Airframe hours: 2685
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight Trails
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 29, 1984, 39 hours before
- Departed: RAMONA, CA
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: CZZ, 17 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 19841208065889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841208065889A), Dec 8, 1984: Hughes 269C, Boulevard, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot made steep bank course reversal because of steep climb gradient in canyon. Low airspeed and altitude, crashed

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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