# NTSB LAX89LA324: Hughes 269A, N8134Y, Agana, September 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1989
- Place: Agana
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA324

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE POWER LINE.  THE POWER LINE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED ON A VISUAL RECONNAISSANCE/ORIENTATION FLT WITH A PLT & A POLICE AGENT ABOARD. WHILE FLYING AT ABOUT 200 FT ABOVE THE FONTE RIVER (FOLLOWING A VALLEY), THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE THAT CROSSED THE RIVER.  DURING IMPACT, THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM SEPARATED & THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN DENSE JUNGLE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8134Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8134Y-1993-03-09), registration cancelled 1993-03-09, S/N 180763 (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: 180763
- Airframe hours: 13858
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Government Of Guam
- Registered owner: U.S. Dept Of The Interior
- Departed: PGUM, NAS AGANA, OF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 562 total, 40 in this make and model, 429 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PGUM, 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 19890918065469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890918065469A), Sep 18, 1989: Hughes 269A, Agana, Guam, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On a reconnaissance flight for dept of interior and guam police dept. Flew into powerlines, lost rotor and crashed.

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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