# NTSB LAX92LA383: Hughes 269C, N58164, Rialto, CA, September 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1992, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099525, -117.380279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0995&lon=-117.3803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA383
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA383

## Probable cause

THE PILOT/PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, descent
  - autorotation - performed, pilot passenger
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT HAD RENTED THE HELICOPTER FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. AFTER PRACTICING SOME MANEUVERS ON THE AIRPORT, THE COMMERCIAL PILOT/PASSENGER ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND EXECUTED A 180-DEG PRACTICE AUTOROTATION TO A TAXIWAY. THE M/R RPM DECREASED TO 380 RPM. ABOUT 30 FT AGL A POWER RECOVERY WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT THE SINK RATE WAS TOO HIGH. THE TAIL BOOM SUSTAINED A M/R BLADE STRIKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58164](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58164-2014-11-25), registration cancelled 2014-11-25, S/N 940348 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 940348
- Airframe hours: 3899
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cari Aviation
- Registered owner: Japan Acft Sale & Leasing, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1992, 15 hours before
- Departed: 0
- Airport: L67, Rialto

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 158 total, 55 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19920912036519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920912036519A), Sep 12, 1992: Hughes 269C, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed pilot rated passenger to perform a 180 autoration at a low altitude. Low rotor RPM.impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N58164 (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 LAX89LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA309), Mar 30, 1989: Hughes 269C (N58164), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER FLARE BY THE STUDENT PILOT, AND IMPROPER SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI).

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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