# NTSB MIA86LA016: Hughes 269A, N9017E, Marco Island, FL, October 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1985, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Marco Island, FL
- Location: 25.9320° N, 81.7048° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marco Island, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9320&lon=-81.7048&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): 31539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC FLT THE ENG LOST PWR & HE AUTOROTATED THE ACFT INTO THE WATER. AFTER THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & RETURNED TO IT'S HOME BASE, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DRAINED & PURGED OF ALL FLUIDS, THE MAGNETOS WERE CLEANED, REINSTALLED & NEW FUEL WAS ADDED. THE ENG WAS STARTED & IT RAN NORMALLY, THEREFORE DUE TO THE ACFT'S BEING SUBMERGED IN THE OCEAN WATERS, NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE NATURE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ENG AS DESCRIBED BY THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9017E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9017E-1998-03-17), registration cancelled 1998-03-17, S/N 260460 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 26-0460
- Airframe hours: 2555
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-B60-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aircraft & Helicopter Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985
- Departed: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,184 total, 68 in this make and model, 37,948 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 38 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 19851021054809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851021054809A), Oct 21, 1985: Hughes 269A, Marco Island, FL, Substantial damage. Autorotation to water after engine failed. Aircraft sank. Recovered and test runs accomplished. Cause undetermined.

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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