# NTSB MIA97TA246: Hughes 269A, N6786M, Tarpon Springs, FL, September 17, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: September 17, 1997, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Tarpon Springs, FL - Coordinates: 28.149383, -82.679939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1494&lon=-82.6799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38350 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97TA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38350/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97TA246 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The flight had departed from an island after completing a mosquito control inspection. The pilot said he was at a cruise setting of '23 inches [manifold] plus 2800 rpm' and at an altitude of 200 feet above the water, when the engine started 'missing' and 'failed to develop enough power to maintain flight.' The engine sputtered and regained full power. The pilot was setting up for an autorotation with a forward airspeed of 50 knots. The pilot further said he had 'split the needles,' and had set the engine rpm at 2,000. When he decelerated the helicopter at 50 feet above the water, the engine came back on line. The pilot then 'joined' the needles and established an attitude to continue flight when the landing skid contacted the water. A test run was performed on the engine. Due to damage to the magneto's and the ignition harness, these components had to be repaired prior to running the engine. The test run of the engine revealed no discrepancies at all power sittings. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1997, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N6786M, registered to Pasco County Mosquito Control District, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, local public-use flight, lost engine power and impacted with water during a forced landing near Tarpon Springs, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight had originated from Ancolote Island, Florida, at 1055. The flight had departed the island after completing a mosquito control inspection, and was at a low altitude, when the pilot reported that the engine lost power. The pilot said he was at a cruise setting of "23 inches [manifold] plus 2800 rpm," at an altitude of 200 feet above the water, when the engine started "missing" and "failed to develop enough power to maintain flight." He said the engine sputtered and regained full power. The pilot was setting up for an autorotation, with a forward airspeed of "50 knots." The pilot said "...[he] split the needles, engine rpm [was] approximately 2,000 rpm, plus missing, at the flair or decel [sic] point, 50 feet above the water, the engine came back on line." The pilot then "joined" the needles and established an attitude to continue flight, when the landing skid contacted the water. A test run was performed on the engine from N6786M under the supervision of the FAA. According to the inspector's statement, "...due to damage to the magneto's and the ignition harness...these components had to be repaired prior to running the engine." The test run of the engine revealed that "it ran normal at all power sittings...the reason for losing power...[could] not positively be determined." ## Aircraft - Registration: N6786M (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0893 - Airframe hours: 12172 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pasco County Mosquito Control - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 16, 1997, 2 hours before - Departed: NONE, ANCLOTC ISLAND, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19970917027049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970917027049A), Sep 17, 1997: Hughes 269A, Tarpon Springs, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on mosquito patrol. 200 ft over water autorated. Engine revived began climb. Skid hit water. (-23) on sept. 17, 1997 about 1103 eastern daylight… 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.