# NTSB SEA74DYE17: Hughes 269C, N8955F, Eagle Lake, WA, September 16, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 16, 1973
- Place: Eagle Lake, WA · EAGLE LAKE, WA
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA74DYE17
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYE17

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3611  73/9/16    EAGLE LAKE,WASH     HUGHES 269C         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1100                    N8955F              PX-  0  0  2  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 36, 2451 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            825 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EAGLE LAKE HELI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EAGLE LAKE,WASH            UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: RUNNING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
          PILOT-EXCEEDED PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF ACFT.
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           WEATHER - SUDDEN WINDSHIFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        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                                                      55
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           90                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALT 5000 FT. NEAR MAX GROSS WT-
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8955F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8955F-1995-01-30), registration cancelled 1995-01-30, S/N 1120172 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Eagle Lake Heli

## 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 19730916035239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730916035239A), Sep 16, 1973: Hughes 269C, Eagle Lake, WA, Substantial damage. Density alt 5000 ft. near max gross wt- pilot-exceeded performance capability of acft.

## Other investigations on N8955F (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 CHI91LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA097), Feb 20, 1991: Hughes 269C (N8955F), North Mankato, MN, destroyed. Probable cause: THE FATIQUE FAILURE OF THE TAIL BOOM SUPPORT STRUT ATTACHMENT CLUSTER AND THE IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE CLUSTER ATTACHMENT.

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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