# NTSB LAX89LA127: Hughes 269A, N8784F, Malibu, CA, March 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1989, 17:50 local (Mar 18, 1989, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Malibu, CA
- Coordinates: 34.060222, -118.809669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0602&lon=-118.8097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA127

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER TO FOLLOW BRIEFED PROCEDURES AND THE FAILURE OF GROUND PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - passenger briefing - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - proper assistance - inadequate, other person (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT REMAINED IN THE HELICOPTER FOR SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES. BEFORE THE ROTOR BLADES HAD STOPPED THE PASSENGER, WITH THE HELP OF A PERSON OUTSIDE, EXITED THE HELICOPTER. BEFORE CLEAR OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, THE PASSENGER RAISED HER HAND. THE ROTOR CONTACTED HER LEFT HAND AND AMPUTATED HER THUMB AND INDEX FINGER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8784F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8784F-1997-02-19), registration cancelled 1997-02-19, S/N 720110 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 720110
- Airframe hours: 2055
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Williams, Gerald L.
- Registered owner: Williams, Gerald L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1988, 12 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,850 total, 280 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19890317004129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890317004129A), Mar 17, 1989: Hughes 269A, Malibu, CA. Passenger broke loose from ground handler, jumped and threw up her hands. Idling rotors cut off her thumb and finger

## Other investigations on N8784F (3)

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 MIA96LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA209), Aug 10, 1996: Hughes 269A (N8784F), Cottondale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: improper assembly of the main rotor blade dampners by a mechanic which resulted in the helicopter being damaged by ground resonance.
- [NTSB UNK64X3704](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3704), Aug 31, 1964: Hughes 269A (N8784F), Phoenix, AZ, destroyed
- [NTSB UNK64X1150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1150), Apr 3, 1964: Hughes 269A (N8784F), Phoenix, AZ, substantial damage

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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