# NTSB NYC91LA159: Hughes 269A, N48323, Manassas, VA, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1991, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER SETTLING WITH POWER.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXECUTED A STEEP DESCENDING TURN TO APPROXIMATELY 150 AGL, TO OVERFLY THE PASSENGER'S HOUSE.  SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING AT 150 FEET, WITH 'SLOW FORWARD AIRSPEED,' THE HELICOPTER MADE A 'SUDDEN QUICK TURN TO THE RIGHT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN...,' DESCENDING INTO TREES.  THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALM.  ACCORDING TO THE HEIGHT VELOCITY DIAGRAM FOR THE HUGHES 269A, OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER AT 150 FEET AND ZERO TO 52 KNOTS OF INDICATED AIRSPEED SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48323](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48323-1995-03-09), registration cancelled 1995-03-09, S/N 580877 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 580887
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1H 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dse Inc.
- Registered owner: Dse Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD, 10 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 19910629024809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910629024809A), Jun 29, 1991: Hughes 269A, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. Flew a friend over his house at slow speed and low. Resulted in settling with power. Crashed in backyard.

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.