# NTSB MIA83LA079: Hughes 500-369HS, N2254X, Boca Raton, FL, February 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1983, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Boca Raton, FL
- Coordinates: 26.340234, -80.079338 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3402&lon=-80.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, approach - vfr pattern - downwind

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THE FLT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENG POWER LOSS & THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY. ALL EXAMINATIONS & TESTS CONDUCTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2254X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2254X-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 890110S, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500-369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 890110S
- Airframe hours: 6368
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr. & Mrs. Lechner & Dubray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1983, 5 hours before
- Departed: PBI, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
- Destination: FLL, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,783 total, 1,427 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 25 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 19830221004499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830221004499A), Feb 21, 1983: Hughes 369HS, Boca Raton, FL, Substantial damage. Ditching occurred after a reported engine failure. Nothing found to suggest engine not capable of producing power.

## Other investigations on N2254X (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 CHI86LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA219), Sep 6, 1986: Hughes 500 (369HS) (N2254X), West Lafayette, IN, destroyed

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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