# NTSB MIA89FA004: Hughes 269C, N8602F, Vero Beach, FL, October 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1988, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Vero Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 27.639513, -80.389579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6395&lon=-80.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, hover
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,main rotor hub lead-lag stop/damper - worn (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE DOING A STUCK LEFT PEDAL MANEUVER, THE HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN WITH A 5 DEGREE YAW TO THE LEFT. AS THE AIRSPEED ZEROED, THE COLLECTIVE WAS BROUGHT IN TO BRING THE NOSE AROUND AND LIGHT CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE GROUND. HE THEN STATED THAT GROUND RESONANCE STARTED AND PROGRESSED SO RAPIDLY THAT THE HELICOPTER DESTROYED ITSELF ALMOST IMMEDIATLY. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE THREE BLADE FRICTION DAMPERS REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BRONZE PLATES INSIDE THE DAMPERS WERE WORN BEYOND ACCEPTABLE LIMITS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STOPPED THREE TIMES DURING THE FLIGHT TO RE-PHASE THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8602F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8602F-1999-01-28), registration cancelled 1999-01-28, S/N 1090843 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1090843
- Airframe hours: 1479
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Safety Int'L, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Safety Int'L Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 4, 1988, 3 hours before
- Airport: VRB, Vero Beach, runway 29R, 2,650 × 5 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,787 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,671 as pilot in command, 228 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB

## 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 19881005069779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881005069779A), Oct 5, 1988: Hughes 269C, Vero Beach, FL, Destroyed. Student and instructor practicing ground hover. Skid hit ground. Induced ground resonance destroyed helicopter.

## Other investigations on N8602F (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 MIA83LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA125), Apr 16, 1983: Hughes 300C (N8602F), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage

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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