# NTSB LAX89LA152: Hughes 269B, N9456F, Long Beach, CA, April 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1989, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.820648, -118.110778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8206&lon=-118.1108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA152

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH LED TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF HELICOPTER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLT BEGAN WITH ABOUT 20 GAL OF FUEL IN THE ACFT'S 30 GAL FUEL TANK. ABOUT 1.7 HRS LATER, AS THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND, HE REPORTED A 'SLIGHT FUEL SITUATION.'  ABOUT 2 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED AS THE PLT WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A STREET ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9456F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9456F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 16-0233, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 16-0233
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Novo Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LGB
- Destination: LGB
- Airport: LGB, Daugherty Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 8 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: LGB

## 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 19890408006969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890408006969A), Apr 8, 1989: Hughes 269B, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Reported low fuel prior losing power. Crash landed on city street.

## Other investigations on N9456F (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 LAX69F0045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69F0045), Jul 4, 1968: Hughes 269B (N9456F), Paramount, CA, 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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