# NTSB LAX86LA344: Hughes 269C, N58323, Carlsbad, CA, September 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1986, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.129165, -117.300354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1292&lon=-117.3004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA344

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED PALOMAR AIRPORT (CRQ), CARLSBAD, CA, ON A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND WAS THE SECOND FLIGHT FOR THE DUAL STUDENT. AFTER COMPLETING THE FLIGHT LESSON THE STUDENT ASKED THE CFI TO DEMONSTRATE HOVERING. THE CFI INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION WITH A POWER-ON RECOVERY OVER BATIQUITOS LAGOON, A HIGH, BRUSH COVERED MARSHY SWAMP AREA. AFTER RECOVERING FROM THE AUTOROTATION THE INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED FORWARD FLIGHT AND THE SKIDS CONTACTED THE HIGH BRUSH. THE HELICOPTER PITCHED DOWNWARD AND AFT CYCLIC CONTROL COULD NOT ARREST THE DOWNWARD MOMENT. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58323](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58323-1992-03-24), registration cancelled 1992-03-24, S/N 790803 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 790803
- Airframe hours: 3348
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Trails, Inc.
- Registered owner: Theodore L. Vallas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1986, 52 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Airport: CRQ, Palomar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 4 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 19860911044499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860911044499A), Sep 11, 1986: Hughes 269C, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. While in hover pilot attempted forward flight from a two foot hover. Struck brush. Pitch forward. Blades hit ground

## Other investigations on N58323 (1)

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 LAX89FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA212), Jun 10, 1989: Hughes 269C (N58323), Rainbow Valley, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S…

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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