# NTSB LAX87LA140: Hughes 269D, N1103V, Palmdale, CA, March 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1987, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Palmdale, CA
- Coordinates: 37.680343, -121.749893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6803&lon=-121.7499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, hover
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED AN OVERTEMPERATURE TO THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGE TURBINE WHEEL AIRFOILS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1103V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1103V), registered now, S/N 1000823D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1000823D
- Airframe hours: 3522
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 133
- Operator: Helicopter International
- Registered owner: Whirlybirds Leasing Co.-Vi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 27, 1987, 24 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,428 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,118 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJP, 10 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 19870310005099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870310005099A), Mar 10, 1987: Hughes 369D, Palmdale, CA, Substantial damage. Power loss while lifting heavy load. Hit sloping ground. Turbine exposed to overtemperature. Heard low rotor alarm.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.