# NTSB NYC88LA226: Hughes 269A, N7028V, Pittstown, NJ, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5659° N, 74.9793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKY MANOR (N40), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5659&lon=-74.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING A DEPARTURE AUTOROTATION TO A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT. A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT WITH LOW AIRSPEED AND LOW ROTOR RPM DEVELOPED AND THE CFI ATTEMPTED A POWER RECOVERY WITH NO RESULTS. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD, THE SKIDS COLLAPSED AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM BUT DID MENTION THAT SHIFTING WINDS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7028V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7028V-2004-11-10), registration cancelled 2004-11-10, S/N 760622 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760622
- Airframe hours: 4002
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-8IA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Barney
- Registered owner: Mark Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: N40
- Destination: N40
- Airport: N40, Sky Manor

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5,320 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19880821034519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034519A), Aug 21, 1988: Hughes 269A, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Demonstrating a departure autorotation. Developed high sink rate with low air speed, low rotor RPM. Impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N7028V (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 NYC01LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA167), Jul 9, 2001: Hughes 269A (N7028V), Clay, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the left aft cluster fitting due to a fatigue crack. Factors in the accident were the mechanic's failure to identify the crack at the last annual inspection, and the pilot's failure to…

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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