# NTSB SEA88LA022: Hughes 269B, N22730, Las Vegas, NV, November 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1987, 14:28 local (22:28 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.079788, -115.140869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0798&lon=-115.1409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA022

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

DURING PRACTICE AUTOROTATION THE PILOT FLARED EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND THE TAIL BOOM STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PILOT THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE DENSITY ALT WAS 2616 FEET. A RT QUARTERING TAILWIND WAS PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22730](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22730), registered now, S/N 790436, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 790436
- Airframe hours: 2960
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Kay, doing business as Rotor Wings
- Registered owner: Martin Kay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: runway 4, 3,270 × 65 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,005 total, 1,280 in this make and model, 8,790 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 8 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 19871124067789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871124067789A), Nov 24, 1987: Hughes 269B, Las Vegas, NV, Destroyed. Practicing autorotations. Entered ground resonance when clutch cable assembly broke at the tension spring assembly.

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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