# NTSB LAX89LA129: Hughes 269C, N7470F, Saipan, Sark, March 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1989, 13:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Saipan, Sark
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA129

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO ASSURE THE HELICOPTER WAS SERVICED WITH THE PROPER GRADE OF FUEL. A FACTOR REALATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA, WHICH RESULTED IN HAVING TO DITCH THE HELICOPTER IN THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER WAS TRANSPORTED TO SAIPAN BY SHIP IN A CONTAINER. AFTER UNLOADING, THE PILOT, A MECHANIC AND A MECHANIC'S HELPER REASSEMBLED IT ON THE DOCK. THE HELPER WAS SENT TO BUY SOME FUEL FOR THE HELICOPTER, SO IT COULD BE FLOWN FROM THE DOCK TO THE COMPANY BASE AT THE AIRPORT. THE COMPANY HAD BEEN OPERATING TURBINE POWERED HELICOPTERS ONLY; THIS WAS ITS FIRST PISTON POWERED MODEL. THE HELPER WENT TO THE FUEL FACILITY AND BOUGHT 10 GALLONS OF JET-A FUEL, WHICH HE USED TO SERVICE THE HELICOPTER. THE PILOT STARTED THE HELICOPTER, DID A RUN-UP AND TOOK OFF FOR A 3 MILE FLIGHT TO THE AIRPORT. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE AN AUTOROTATION TO A SUBMERGED REEF IN ABOUT 3 TO 4 FEET OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7470F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7470F-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 170553 (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: 170553
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pacific Island Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 9,541 total, 550 in this make and model, 9,145 as pilot in command, 271 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PGSN, 3 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 19890320004219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890320004219A), Mar 20, 1989: Hughes 269C, Saipan, PG, Substantial damage. Ground crew put jet fuel in fuel tanks in place of avgas. Landed on a reef in bay on ferry flight.

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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