# NTSB NYC01LA131: Hughes 269C, N9660F, Fairfield, KY, May 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 28, 2001, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, KY - Coordinates: 37.929435, -85.39093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9294&lon=-85.3909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52344/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during takeoff, and his inadequate reconnoiter of the area prior to takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency ## Analysis According to the pilot, he initially overflew the field, and looked for power lines and transmission poles. He noticed one pole, but his attention was diverted, and didn't notice any other poles or power lines. The pilot made his approach, brought the helicopter into a hover, and hovered for about 1 minute. The pilot then looked for obstacles in his departure path, but didn't see any. He initiated the takeoff, and during the departure, the helicopter struck a power line. The pilot then performed an autorotation to the ground. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 2001, about 1400 Eastern Daylight Time, a Hughes 269C, N9660F, was substantially damaged when it struck a power line while taking off from a field in Fairfield, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which originated at Samuels Field (BRY), Bardstown, Kentucky. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he initially overflew the field, and looked for power lines and transmission poles. He noticed one pole, but his attention was diverted, and didn't notice any other poles or power lines. The pilot made his approach, brought the helicopter into a hover, and hovered for about 1 minute. The pilot then looked for obstacles in his departure path, but didn't see any. He initiated the takeoff, and during the departure, the helicopter struck a power line. The pilot then performed an autorotation to the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9660F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9660F-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 110089, built 1971 (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 - Serial number: 110089 - Airframe hours: 2884 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John C. Mayer - Registered owner: Air Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2001, 8 hours before - Departed: BRY, Bardstown, KY - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 359 total, 9 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 30 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 20010528010219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010528010219A), May 28, 2001: Hughes 269C, Cox Creek, KY, No damage. (-23)On may 28, 2001, about 1400 EDT, a Hughes 296C, N9660F was substantially damaged it struck wires while taking off from a private field near cox' Creek,… ## Other investigations on N9660F (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 FTW85LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA239), May 30, 1985: Hughes 300 (N9660F), Lake Worth, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.