# NTSB MKC89LA200: Hughes 269C, N95KS, Bloomington, MN, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 06:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: Bloomington, MN
- Coordinates: 44.920322, -92.940238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9203&lon=-92.9402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA200

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT.  THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DAWN AND THE VEHICLES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING FLOWN ON AN EARLY MORNING, RUSH HOUR, TRAFFIC WATCH. THE PLT RPRTD THE HELICOPTER WAS AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL & 20 KTS WHEN THE ENG FAILED. HE BEGAN AN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT. JUST BEFORE LANDING, HE SAW THE LIGHTS OF A CAR AS IT ENTERED INTO THE PARKING LOT. WITH PARKED CARS ELSEWHERE IN THE PARKING LOT, HE ELECTED TO SHORTEN HIS APCH PATH TO LAND IN ANOTHER AREA. AFTER SLOWING THE HELICOPTER TO LAND AT THE ALTERNATE LOCATION, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT INERTIA LEFT IN THE ROTOR BLADES TO CUSHION THE LANDING. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD, DAMAGING THE UNDERCARRIAGE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED BETWEEN THE #2 & #3 CHEEKS. THE ENG HAD A TOTAL OPERATIONAL TIME OF 2373 HRS & HAD 998 HRS OF OPERATION SINCE THE LAST OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95KS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95KS-1990-07-19), registration cancelled 1990-07-19, S/N 1180735 (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: 1180735
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: J.R. Copter Ltd.
- Registered owner: J.R. Copters Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STP, ST PAUL, MN
- Destination: STP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,857 total, 1,161 in this make and model, 1,516 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 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 19890928037059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928037059A), Sep 28, 1989: Hughes 369C, Bloomington, MN, Substantial damage. Engine failed due to cracked crankshaft cheek. Had to deviate trying to land in parking lot due to traffic.

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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