# NTSB MIA89LA243: Hughes 269C, N81AM, Hollywood, FL, August 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Hollywood, FL
- Coordinates: 25.989387, -80.219192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9894&lon=-80.2192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA243

## Probable cause

THE SEVERE FUSELAGE VIBRATION (GROUND RESONANCE) AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO AVOID OR COMPENSATE FOR THE OCCURRENCE.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW SHOCK STRUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - landing gear,main gear strut - worn (contributing factor)
  - fuselage - vibration (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING COCKPIT AND RUNUP PROCEDURES TO THE STUDENT, WHEN THE HELICOPTER BECAME LIGHT ON THE SKIDS WITH OPERATING RPM & GROUND RESONANCE DEVELOPED.   THE INSTRUCTOR BOTTOMED THE PITCH & SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE GROUND RESONANCE BECAME WORSE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL BOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, A FUEL CELL RUPTURED & A FIRE ERUPTED.  ACCORDING TO AN FAA HANDBOOK  (AC 61-13B),  THE  CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR GETTING OUT OF GROUND RESONANCE WAS TO LIFT OFF. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK STRUT WAS LOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81AM-2013-11-05), registration cancelled 2013-11-05, S/N 700941, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 700941
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Crescent Airways
- Registered owner: Idaho First Nat'L Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 4, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: HWO
- Destination: HWO
- Airport: HWO, North Perry

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 750 total, 350 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWO

## 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 19890805033969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805033969A), Aug 5, 1989: Hughes 269C, Hollywood, FL, Destroyed. Ground resonance occurred as helicopter got light on skids for takeoff.CFI incorrectly shut down instead of lifting

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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