# NTSB MIA91LA148: Hughes 269C, N10MY, Tarpon Springs, FL, May 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1991, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Tarpon Springs, FL
- Coordinates: 28.140033, -82.779106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1400&lon=-82.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA148

## Probable cause

DELAY BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO APPLY ADEQUATE THROTTLE & COLLECTIVE DURING TRANSITION OFF A DOCK FOR A TAKEOFF OVER A LAKE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - collective - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PLT RAISED THE HELICOPTER TO A 3 FT HOVER OVER A DOCK & WHILE TRANSITIONING TO FWD FLT OVER A LAKE, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCENT.  HE STATED THAT HE PULLED THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL & APPLIED THROTTLE TO STOP THE DESCENT BUT THE SKIDS CONTACTED THE WATER.  HE THEN ROLLED THE HELICOPTER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE TO STOP THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES & BOTH OCCUPANTS EXITED THE ACFT.  THE ENG WAS STARTED & FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10MY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10MY-1993-05-13), registration cancelled 1993-05-13, S/N 270569 (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: 270569
- Airframe hours: 3157
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: M.Y. Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: M.Y. Flying Service, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1991, 6 hours before
- Destination: X49, MULBERRY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,800 total, 685 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910518017059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910518017059A), May 18, 1991: Hughes 269C, Tarpon Springs, FL, Substantial damage. Lifted off dock to hover. Low RPM allowed descent during transition to forward flight. Skid hit water. Rolled over.

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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