# NTSB MIA85LA228: Hughes 269C, N300JS, St.Petersburg, FL, August 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1985, 11:54 local (15:54 UTC)
- Place: St.Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.769016, -82.630332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7690&lon=-82.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA228

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, maneuvering
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS EXECUTING A QUICK STOP IN A DOWNWIND CONDITION. AS HE INCREASED COLLECTIVE PITCH CONTROL, THE ROTOR RPM BLED DOWN.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE INCREASED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO INCREASE RPM AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N300JS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 270569
- Airframe hours: 1188
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: M.Y. Flying Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: M.Y. Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1985, 108 hours before
- Departed: SPG, TARPON SPRINGS, FL
- Destination: SPG, ST.PETERSBURG, FL
- Airport: SPG, Albert Whited, runway 24, 3,322 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,294 total, 123 in this make and model, 1,160 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRG

## 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 19850810040509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850810040509A), Aug 10, 1985: Hughes 269C, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor RPM to decay during rapid deceleration from air taxi. Struck ground with tail rotor and aft skids.

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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