# NTSB MIA87LA089: Hughes 269A, N90270, Jacksonville, FL, February 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1987, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.360513, -81.510528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3605&lon=-81.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT WAS DEMONSTRATING A HOVERING AUTOROTATION LANDING WITH FORWARD MOVEMENT, WHEN, AFTER THE THROTTLE WAS CLOSED, THE HELICOPTER HUNG IN THE AIR. FORWARD CYCLIC WAS THEN APPLIED WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THE HELICOPTER THEN CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A SLIGHT NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, AFTER WHICH, REAR CYCLIC WAS APPLIED. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES THEN SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM DUE TO THE LOW ROTOR RPM AND REAR CYCLIC INPUT. THE HELICOPTER SPUN APRX 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT & CAME TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90270](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90270), registered now, S/N 66-18283, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 66-18283
- Airframe hours: 52404
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Helicopter Services,Of Jack.
- Registered owner: Diamond Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1986, 37 hours before
- Airport: CRG, Craig Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,506 total, 12 in this make and model, 144 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 50,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG

## 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 19870220036679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870220036679A), Feb 20, 1987: Hughes 269A, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. The helicopter landed hard and the tail boom was severed. The instructor failed to maintain rotor speed.

## Other investigations on N90270 (2)

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 ERA23LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA289), Jun 27, 2023: Hughes 269A (N90270), Anderson, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanics’ improper torquing of the main rotor blade dampers, which resulted in a ground resonance event during landing.
- [NTSB CHI91LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA048), Dec 26, 1990: Hughes 269A (N90270), Sellersburg, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A PILOT INDUCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BY INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL.

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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