# NTSB MIA89IA030: Hughes 269A, N37632, Daytona Beach, FL, November 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1988, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Daytona Beach, FL
- Location: 29.2108° N, 81.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Daytona Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2108&lon=-81.0228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89IA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89IA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,engine to transmission drive - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Fire, standing - engine(s) operating
  - equipment,other - unavailable, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLT, THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S). GRASS WAS IGNITED BY EXHAUST GASSES AFTER TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN FIRE, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE ASSY. THE PLT STATED HE BELIEVES THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO BELT OR IDLER PULLEY CABLE STRETCH. THE TOTAL NO. OF TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELTS OPERATING WHEN THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR DRIVE OCCURRED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT A 2 BELTS WILL DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE STRETCHING OF THE IDLER PULLEY CABLE OR THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELTS. THE TENSION OF THE IDLER PULLEY CABLE WAS CHECKED APRX 12 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND SCHEDULED TO BE RECHECKED AFTER 13 HRS OF OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37632](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37632-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 460499 (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: 46-0499
- Airframe hours: 4206
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark W. Patterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1988, 12 hours before
- Departed: 44J, DAYTONA BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 921 total, 75 in this make and model, 812 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 8 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).

- [Incident 19881112070089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881112070089I), Nov 12, 1988: Hughes 269A, Daytona Beach, FL, Destroyed. Drop in RPM. Noise in belt drive area. Autorotation to field. Grass caught on fire and destroyed aircraft.

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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