# NTSB MKC84LA265: Hughes 269C, N7487F, Witts Springs, AR, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1984, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Witts Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 35.779235, -92.829765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7792&lon=-92.8298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MANUEVERING AT AN ALT OF 35 TO 40 FT ABOVE TREE THE PLT FELT A SHUTTER AND LOW FREQUENCY SHAKING OF THE ROTOR DISK. ROTOR RPM AND ENGINE RPM DECREASED AND THE ACFT ENTERED A SHALLOW DESCENT. THE PLT APPLIED FORWARD CYCLIC, REDUCED COLLECTIVE AND INCREASED THROTTLE. WITH INSUFFICIENT ALT TO RECOVER THE PLT MANEUVERED THE ACFT AWAY FROM TALL TREES AND SETTLED THE ACFT INTO AN AREA OF SMALL TREES. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ALT AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 2000 FT MSL WITH A DENSITY ALT OF APRX 4500 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7487F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7487F-2007-04-10), registration cancelled 2007-04-10, S/N 470589, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 470589
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zane M. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: RUSSELLVILLE, AR
- Airport: Russellisville Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,128 total, 138 in this make and model, 1,365 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 102 °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 19840829044449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840829044449A), Aug 29, 1984: Hughes 269C, Witts Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Helicopter settled with power during aerial observation flight and crashed in mountainous terrain.

## Other investigations on N7487F (2)

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 DFW05CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA168), Jun 23, 2005: Hughes 269C (N7487F), Bruceville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's improper flare during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factor was, the lack of suitable terrain.
- [NTSB ATL81FLT08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FLT08), May 3, 1981: Hughes 269C (N7487F), Ridgely, TN, 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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