# NTSB LAX90LA234: Hughes 269C, N1102H, Carlsbad, CA, June 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1990, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.129505, -117.300659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1295&lon=-117.3007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA234

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AT A HOVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - throttle/power control friction lock - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A HUGHES 269C LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING HELICOPTER INSTRUCTION FOR AN-ADD ON ROTORCRAFT CATEGORY RATING. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 10 HOURS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD TAKEN OFF TO A HOVER AND DISCOVERED THE THROTTLE FRICTION TO BE TOO LOOSE. HE LANDED THE HELICOPTER AND ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE FRICTION. THE PILOT TOOK OFF TO A HOVER AGAIN AND ENTERED A RIGHT HOVERING TURN. DURING THE TURN THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED. THE PILOT INCREASED THE THROTTLE AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN RIGHT. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1102H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1102H-2001-03-15), registration cancelled 2001-03-15, S/N 200891 (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: 200891
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Trails Helicopters, doing business as Civic Helicopters
- Registered owner: Civic Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: CRQ
- Airport: CRQ, Mcclellan-Palomar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,153 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,033 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19900629065609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900629065609A), Jun 29, 1990: Hughes 269C, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. Lifted to hover on first solo. Allowed rotor RPM decay began right spin and crashed. Tail wind a factor.

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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