# NTSB MKC81DCJ18: Hughes 269C, N8973F, Union, NE, June 26, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: June 26, 1981
- Place: Union, NE · UNION, NE
- Location: 40.8144° N, 95.9218° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Union, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8144&lon=-95.9218&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC81DCJ18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCJ18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2255  81/6/26  NR.UNION,NE           HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 54, 5416
        TIME - 2045                    N8973F              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 28 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NEHAWKA,NE                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  UNUSUAL NOISE
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - BEANS                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - SIDES                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1127                SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
        REMARKS- DECIDED TO LND AFTER HEARING A WINDING UP/HI PITCH SOUND.APPLIED COLLECTIVE,SETTLED INTO FLD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8973F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8973F), registered now, S/N 430195, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (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 19810626085569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810626085569A), Jun 26, 1981: Hughes 269C, Union, NE, Substantial damage. Heard unusal noise during ag operation. Had high sink rate on landing. No mechanical descrepancies found.

## Other investigations on N8973F (1)

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 FTW91LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA041), Feb 18, 1991: Hughes 269C (N8973F), Knowles, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE MANEUVER AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING THE GO-AROUND.

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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