# NTSB SEA87LA005: Hughes 269A, N986GC, Forest Grove, OR, October 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1986, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Forest Grove, OR
- Coordinates: 45.549156, -123.150573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5492&lon=-123.1506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA005

## Analysis

PLT WAS OVERFLYING FILBERT ORCHARD TO SHAKE NUTS OFF TREES WITH ROTOWASH. PLT ALLOWED ROTOR RPM TO DECAY IN A DOWN WIND TURN 10 FEET AGL. ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, THEN GROUND, AND ROLLED OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N986GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N986GC-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 105-0402, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 105-0402
- Airframe hours: 5780
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth Lincoln
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 7, 1986
- Departed: H10, HILLSBORO, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 656 total, 128 in this make and model, 514 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19861007048359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861007048359A), Oct 7, 1986: Hughes 269A, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. The helicopter settled into trees while shaking filberts. The pilot failed to maintain rotor speed in downwind turn

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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