# NTSB MIA89LA231: Hughes 269A, N9014N, Jacksonville, FL, August 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1989, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Location: 30.3322° N, 81.6557° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jacksonville, FL, within about 15 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3322&lon=-81.6557&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA231

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS.  THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS ON AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT & DESCENDED TO ABOUT 50 FT AGL TO SHOW HIS PASSENGER A MONITORING STATION. HE DID NOT SEE TRANSMISSION LINES AHEAD UNTIL A COLLISION WAS EMINENT. HE PULLED UP TO AVOID A SET OF TELEPHONE LINES & SAW POWER LINES DIRECTLY AHEAD. HE ATTEMPTED A QUICK STOP MANEUVER TO AVOID THE POWER LINES, BUT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. IT THEN STRUCK THE GROUND & ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9014N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9014N-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 94-0316, built 1964 (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: 94-0316
- Airframe hours: 6575
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-BIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: City Of Jacksonville
- Registered owner: City Of Jacksonville
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: JACKSONVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 502 total, 502 in this make and model, 440 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 7 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 19890825034969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825034969A), Aug 25, 1989: Hughes 269A, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Flying low and slow saw wires too late, tried to avoid quick stop. Crashed and rolled over.

## Other investigations on N9014N (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 IAD00LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00LA052), Jun 16, 2000: Hughes 269A (N9014N), Mansfield, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to comply with published emergency procedures. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in a take-off with the inadequate amount of…

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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