# NTSB SEA87LA109: Hughes 269C, N9606F, Vancouver, WA, June 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1987, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Vancouver, WA
- Location: 45.6387° N, 122.6615° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Vancouver, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6387&lon=-122.6615&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA109

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing
  - rotor system - vibration (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
- Fire/explosion, landing

## Analysis

DURING A PRACTICE RUN-ON LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND AN ALMOST SIMULTANEOUS FIRE OCCURRED. BOTH PILOTS AND AN EYEWITNESS STATED THAT THE RUN ON LANDING WAS VERY SMOOTH. BOTH PILOTS STATED THAT SOMETHING MECHANICAL LET LOOSE DURING THE LANDING. SINCE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FIRE WAS SO SEVERE, EXAMINATION AND METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS WAS NOT CONCLUSIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9606F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9606F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 300009, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30009
- Airframe hours: 11198
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry M. Ross
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1986, 67 hours before
- Departed: 60S, VANCOUVER, WA
- Airport: 60S, Pearson Airpark, runway 26, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 356 total, 140 in this make and model, 284 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870603018439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870603018439A), Jun 3, 1987: Hughes 269C, Vancouver, WA, Destroyed. Vibration and fire occurred after a run on landing. Transmission gussetts and flange failure suspected.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.