# NTSB LAX86LA188: Hughes 269, N9288F, Kahului, HI, April 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1986, 11:49 local (21:49 UTC)
- Place: Kahului, HI
- Coordinates: 20.869997, -156.450759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8700&lon=-156.4508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, hover
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A HUGHES 269 WENT OUT OF CONTROL AFTER TURNING LEFT INTO A 20 KT TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENG WAS RUN ON A ENG TEST STAND AND NO DEFICIENTCIES WERE FOUND. A FUEL SAMPLE WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFIED PARAMETERS. AC 61-13B STATES 'HOVERING TURNS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN WINDS STRONG ENOUGH TO PRECLUDE SUFFICIENT AFT CYCLIC CONTROL TO MAINTAIN THE HELICOPTER ON SELECTED SURFACE REFERENCE POINT WHEN HEADED DOWNWIND. CHECK THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT MANUAL FOR MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS LIMITATION.' 'HOVERING POWER REQUIRES A LARGE AMOUNT OF LEFT PEDAL TO MAINTAIN HEADING. SUFFICIENT LEFT PEDAL IN EXCESS OF THIS AMOUNT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT AN UNCONTROLLED TURN TO THE RIGHT ONCE THE TURN HAS BEGUN.' THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE HUGHES MODEL 269C STATES THAT 'CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE IN 20 MPH (17.4 KTS) WINDS FROM ANY DIRECTION.' THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 080 DEG AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 29 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9288F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9288F-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 1140376, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1140376
- Airframe hours: 3446
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Frederick Slusser
- Registered owner: Pwc Hawaii Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 1986, 58 hours before
- Departed: OGG, KAHULUI, HI
- Airport: OGG, Kahului

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,246 total, 251 in this make and model, 1,143 as pilot in command, 204 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 20 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGG

## 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 19860423018109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860423018109A), Apr 23, 1986: Hughes 269C, Kahului, HI, Substantial damage. Pilot made hovering downwind turn resulting in loss of control and helicopter rolled over.

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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