# NTSB MIA93LA061: Hughes 269A, N711CH, Jacksonville, FL, February 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1993, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.390886, -81.399917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3909&lon=-81.3999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33222/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA061

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MONITOR FUEL QUANTITY DUE TO INATTENTIVENESS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE FLIGHT CONTROL DURING THE SOFT FIELD AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH ABOUT 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER. ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER DURING THE TERMINATION OF THE TRAFFIC WATCH WHEN ON APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN FOLLOWING THE AUTOROTATION, THE SKIDS DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711CH), registered now, S/N 560531 (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: 0531
- Airframe hours: 5149
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Chappell Flight Service
- Registered owner: Chappell Flight Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1993, 62 hours before
- Departed: 23J

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 664 total, 157 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 9 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 19930204001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930204001659A), Feb 4, 1993: Hughes 269A, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel returning to airport from traffic watch. Autorotated. Skids dug in landing. 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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