# NTSB MKC83LA187: Hughes 269C, N7412F, Dodge City, KS, August 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Dodge City, KS
- Coordinates: 37.749599, -100.009841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7496&lon=-100.0098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DISPENSING A LOAD OF CHEMICALS, THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND WHEN HE FELT A VIBRATION IN THE TAIL BOOM. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE & THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TURNING. THE PLT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE & THE POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AT SOME POINT DURING THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE, THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR BOOM CENTER SUPPORT FITTING, PN 269A2324-7, HAD FAILED AFTER 511 HRS OF FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7412F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7412F-1989-10-06), registration cancelled 1989-10-06, S/N 1050446 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1050446
- Airframe hours: 511
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Terry W. Eubank
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1983
- Departed: WRIGHT, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,313 total, 513 in this make and model, 1,269 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830812040979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830812040979A), Aug 12, 1983: Hughes 269C, Dodge City, KS, Substantial damage. Tail boom center support failed hit main rotors. Tail rotor drive broke. Gearbox fell off. Impacted in level turn.

## Other investigations on N7412F (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 DEN80FTC20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTC20), Aug 3, 1980: Hughes 269C (N7412F), Edgerton, WY, 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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