# NTSB SEA84LA050: Hughes 269B, N9509F, Las Vegas, NV, February 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1984, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Location: 36.1750° N, 115.1372° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Las Vegas, NV, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1750&lon=-115.1372&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON THE RETURN PORTION OF A ROUND TRIP FROM LAS VEGAS TO MESQUITE, NV. & BACK. WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, THE ENG LOST POWER & HE INITIATED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ON DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN. AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL, HE FLARED, THEN THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING, HE APPLIED COLLECTIVE TOO SOON & THIS RESULTED IN THE HARD LANDING. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT ONLY 1 2/3 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. ALSO, AN EXAM OF THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT BULB REVEALED THAT IT WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE FILAMENT HAD STRETCHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9509F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9509F-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 1070339, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1070330
- Airframe hours: 8177
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Poss Enterprises
- Registered owner: Ray Poss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1983, 157 hours before
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 111 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 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 19840208003079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840208003079A), Feb 8, 1984: Hughes 269B, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing as a result of fuel exhaustion.

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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