# NTSB MIA97LA084: Hughes 269A, N9061R, Homosassa, FL, February 7, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1997, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Homosassa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.779861, -82.609825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7799&lon=-82.6098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA084

## Probable cause

the unqualified person's poor judgment, by taking the helicopter without the owner's permission and attempting an unauthorized flight at night; and his failure (or inability) to maintain control the helicopter.  Darkness was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - judgment - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use, unqualified person
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, unqualified person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

A non-rated pilot attempted to fly the helicopter during a dark night without obtaining the owner's permission. While attempting to fly at night with no ground reference lights, he lost control of the helicopter, which crashed a short distance from the helipad.

## Factual narrative

On February 7, 1997, about 0100 eastern standard time, a Hughes 269A, N9061R, registered to Crystal River Helicopters, Inc., crashed during an attempt to steal the helicopter from the operators facility at Homosassa, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the unauthorized flight.  The helicopter was substantially damaged and the non-rated pilot was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the owner/operator of the helicopter, an unqualified person attempted to steal the helicopter from his helipad located on the company property.  The helicopter was first discovered with the tailboom separated and the main structure elevated and in an upright position.  There was no postcrash fire.  The pilot fled the scene after the accident and was apprehended in the area.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9061R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9061R), registered now, S/N 47-0696, built 1967 (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: 47-0696
- Airframe hours: 3654
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Crystal River Helicopters,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1995, 37 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OCF, 26 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 19970207001429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970207001429A), Feb 7, 1997: Hughes 269A, Homosassa, FL, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during takeoff while being stolen from a private heliport.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.