# NTSB NYC78FA088: Hughes 269C, N7466F, Derry, PA, September 4, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 4, 1978
- Place: Derry, PA · DERRY, PA
- Location: 40.3334° N, 79.3011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Derry, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3334&lon=-79.3011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 1, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FA088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA088

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3389   78/9/4    DERRY,PA            HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 34, 224
        TIME - 1455                    N7466F              PX-  0  0  2  OTHER PUBLIC              TOTAL HOURS, 59 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          WEST MIFFLIN,PA             RETURN                       LATROBE,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE,SPEED,AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- DROPPING PING-PONG BALLS. CHURCH SCHOOL ON LEFT. COLLIDED WITH CARNIVAL TENT AND CHAIN LINK FENCE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7466F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7466F-2011-02-08), registration cancelled 2011-02-08, S/N 1260541, built 1976 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780904041509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780904041509A), Sep 4, 1978: Hughes 269A, Derry, PA, Substantial damage, 7 fatal. Dropping ping-pong balls. Church school on left. Collided with caal tent and chain link fence.

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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