# NTSB LAX88FA249: Hughes 269C, N750AM, Van Nuys, CA, July 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1988, 20:45 local (Jul 9, 1988, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Location: 34.2098° N, 118.4900° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at VAN NUYS (VNY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2098&lon=-118.4900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA249

## Probable cause

FLIGHT WITH UNDERTORQUED ROTOR DAMPERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - rotor system,main rotor hub lead-lag stop/damper - undertorqued (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
  - fuselage - vibration
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - fuselage - fractured
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - fractured

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N750AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N750AM-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 840346, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- 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: 840346
- Airframe hours: 3532
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-360 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Heli La Inc.
- Registered owner: Osb Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 400 in this make and model, 158 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY

## 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 19880708025859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880708025859A), Jul 8, 1988: Hughes 269C, Van Nuys, CA, Destroyed. Vibrations at hover after liftoff. Set down. Helicopter entered ground resonance. Rotor blade dampers malajusted.

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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