# NTSB SEA73FYE15: Hughes 269A, N8914F, Elma, WA, September 17, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: September 17, 1972
- Place: Elma, WA · ELMA, WA
- Location: 47.0050° N, 123.4107° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Elma, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0050&lon=-123.4107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 167539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA73FYE15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FYE15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1607  72/9/17  NR.ELMA,WASH          HUGHES 269A         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             PRIVATE, AGE 53, 1625
        TIME - 1045                    N8914F              PX-  0  1  0  SEARCH AND RESCUE         TOTAL HOURS, 943 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MONTESANO,WASH             ELMA,WASH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      59
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT STATED HE ENCOUNTERED UNEXPECTED STRONG GUST WHICH SWUNG ACFT TO R.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8914F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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.

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