# NTSB MIA92LA170: Hughes 269B, N9460F, Long Beach, MS, September 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1992, 10:28 local (15:28 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, MS
- Coordinates: 30.360397, -89.160461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3604&lon=-89.1605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA170

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COLLECTIVE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DURING THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - cyclic - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER LOWERING COLLECTIVE CONTROL TO PERFORM A SIMULATED AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WITH FULL THROTTLE APPLIED, THE CFI OBSERVED THAT THE ENG RPM DROPPED TO ZERO & THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED 30 INCHES.  DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 100 FEET, HE OBSERVED POWER LINES AHEAD.  HE PULLED COLLECTIVE CONTROL & CLEARED THE LINES BUT THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD RT SKID LOW.  THE RT SKID BROKE & THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ON ITS RIGHT SIDE & CAME TO REST.  THE HELICOPTER WAS RECOVERED & TAKEN TO THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY FOR EXAM.  THE FUEL SYS WAS CHECKED FOR CONTAMINANTS; NONE WERE FOUND.  FUEL QUANTITY WAS SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN ENG OPERATION.  THE ENG WAS STARTED & FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY.  NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE REPORTED LOSS OF ENG POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9460F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 360242
- Airframe hours: 2065
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vortex Helicopters
- Registered owner: Gulfport Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 44 hours before
- Departed: GPT, GULFPORT, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,925 total, 153 in this make and model, 1,790 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °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 19920901034979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920901034979A), Sep 1, 1992: Hughes 269B, Long Beach, MS, Substantial damage. During practice autorotation engine failed respond. Made hard landing after low rotor RPM clearing wires.

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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