# NTSB MIA85LA185: Hughes 269C, N8657F, St.Petersburg, FL, June 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1985, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: St.Petersburg, FL
- Location: 27.7651° N, 82.6269° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ALBERT WHITTED (SPG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7651&lon=-82.6269&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA185

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - failure,total (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDING AFTER A TRAINING FLIGHT WITH AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND A NON-RATED-NON-CERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT ON BOARD. AS THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN A SEVERE RESONANT VIBRATION STARTED. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO LIFT OFF THE GROUND BUT THE COLLECTIVE IMPUT GAVE NO RESPONSE. THE CLUTCH PULLEY BRACKET WAS FOUND FAILED DUE TO OVERLOAD. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE VIBRATION AS TYPICAL OF GROUND RESONANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8657F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C (269-C)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7-0660
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: West Florida Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 4, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
- Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,360 total, 103 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG, 1 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 19850608023709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850608023709A), Jun 8, 1985: Hughes 269C, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Vibration started after touchdown on one skid. Blades struck tailboom. Failed to avoid ground resonance.

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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