# NTSB LAX93LA043: Hughes 269C, Camp Verde, AZ, November 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1992, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Camp Verde, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.479564, -111.779342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4796&lon=-111.7793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA043

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INTENTIONAL MANEUVERING FLIGHT AT A ALTITUDE INADEQUATE TO ENSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CANADIAN PILOT AND HIS WIFE WERE TOURING THE COUNTRY WITH ANOTHER COUPLE WHO ALSO HAD A HELICOPTER, BOTH BEING TRAILERED. THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER HAD A VIDEO CAMERA TAPED TO A SKID. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTERS DOING A LOW LEVEL RUN TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO HIT ITS TAIL BOOM SKID ON THE GROUND. THE TAIL BOOM THEN SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND WAS LOCATED SOME DISTANCE BEHIND THE MAIN WRECKAGE. THE COCKPIT AND FORWARD FUSELAGE TUMBLED END OVER END ONCE AND CAME TO REST. THE PILOT REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE ACCIDENT CIRCUMSTANCES OR FILE A REPORT WITH FAA INSPECTORS OR THE SAFETY BOARD. THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE WAS REMOVED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION BY UNKNOWN PERSONS TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGGLF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 108-1000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George P. Leloup
- Registered owner: George P. Leloup
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private, foreign; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 30 nm away

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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