# NTSB MKC85LA115: Hughes 269C, N8976F, West Liberty, IA, May 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1985, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: West Liberty, IA
- Coordinates: 41.569564, -91.259376 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5696&lon=-91.2594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,other - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ON A DOWNWIND SWATH RUN THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE AND THE PLT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. THE PLT THEN MADE A HARD LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NUT WHICH RETAINS THE GEAR TO CRANKSHAFT END HAD BACKED OFF ALLOWING THE GEAR TO SEPARATE AND THE ENG TO QUIT. THE NUT SAFETY WHICH BUTTS UP TO THE NUT FACE WAS NOT IN PLACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8976F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8976F-1997-09-18), registration cancelled 1997-09-18, S/N 1130252 (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: 1130252
- Airframe hours: 3182
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Donald W. Crowl, doing business as Muscatine Skyways
- Registered owner: Loel K. Letts
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1985, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,550 total, 1,730 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: MUT, 15 nm away

## 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 19850529043779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850529043779A), May 29, 1985: Hughes 269C, West Liberty, IA, Substantial damage. Loss of power during swath run. Rolled over after autorotation. Crankshaft end gear separated from bolt attachment.

## Other investigations on N8976F (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 FTW78FQG23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FQG23), Apr 7, 1978: Hughes 269C (N8976F), Paducah, TX, 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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