# NTSB MKC80FCQ03: Hughes 269C, N7481F, Garden City, KS, December 4, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 4, 1979
- Place: Garden City, KS · GARDEN CITY, KS
- Location: 37.9759° N, 100.8509° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Garden City, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9759&lon=-100.8509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 14, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC80FCQ03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FCQ03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3055   79/12/4 NR.GARDEN CITY,KS     HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 69, 2505
        TIME - 1350                    N7481F              PX-  0  0  1  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 505 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         GARDEN CITY,KS               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      67
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          225                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WND GUSTING 30KTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7481F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- 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 19791204033359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791204033359A), Dec 4, 1979: Hughes 269C, Garden City, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed rotor RPM to get low. Was unable to regain RPM before striking the ground.

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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