# NTSB SEA85LA079: Hughes 269C, N9592F, Elma, WA, March 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1985, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Elma, WA
- Coordinates: 47.100337, -123.389678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1003&lon=-123.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating
  - rotor system,main rotor hub lead-lag stop/damper - undertorqued (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO LIFT-OFF A VIBRATION ACCOMPANIED BY LATERAL ROCKING OCCURRED. ALTHOUGH THE PLT BROUGHT THE POWER TO IDLE. THE HELICOPTER HAD ALREADY STARTED TO COME APART. DURING ENGINE EXAMINATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE GROUND RESONANCE OCCURRED DUE TO UNDER TO RQ WING OF THE MAIN ROTOR DAMPNERS. THE DAMPNERS HAD BEEN SERVICED JUST 1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9592F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9592F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 440296, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 440296
- Airframe hours: 2707
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Olympic Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 1984, 66 hours before
- Destination: CHEHALIS RIVER, WA
- Airport: WA22, Elma Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,126 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,030 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F

## Other investigations on N9592F (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 SEA90LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA016), Nov 15, 1989: Hughes 269C (N9592F), Estacada, OR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HER EXTERNAL LOAD AND THE OBSTRUCTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTION, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND MODIFICATION OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD…

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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