# NTSB MKC760CQ73: Hughes 269A, N8873F, Alden, KS, August 7, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 7, 1976
- Place: Alden, KS · ALDEN, KS
- Location: 38.2438° N, 98.3117° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alden, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2438&lon=-98.3117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 3, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 155037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC760CQ73
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC760CQ73

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1961   76/8/7    ALDEN,KS            HUGHES 269A         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2035                    N8873F              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 26, 1525 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            400 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ALDEN,KS                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          NONE                                                     135
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           10                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  312                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1680                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - FIRST 1/3 TURN
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8873F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8873F-1998-01-08), registration cancelled 1998-01-08, S/N 630241 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19760807023229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760807023229A), Aug 7, 1976: Hughes 269A, Alden, KS, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N8873F (4)

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.

- [NTSB LAX95LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA136), Mar 16, 1995: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Van Nuys, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: the operation of the helicopter with improper adjustment of the landing gear and main rotor dampers due to the inadequate maintenance inspection of the helicopter by maintenance personnel and an…
- [NTSB FTW82FPJ15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPJ15), Jul 17, 1982: Hughes 269 (N8873F), Boise City, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI68F0016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0016-109462), Jun 4, 1968: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Richmond, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X3187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3187), Aug 2, 1964: Hughes 269A (N8873F), Buffalo, NY, substantial damage

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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