# NTSB SEA88LA073: Hughes 269C, N92PC, Sitka, AK, April 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1988, 06:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Sitka, AK
- Coordinates: 56.729209, -135.000488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7292&lon=-135.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - external load sling/harness - separation (contributing factor)
  - external load sling/harness - entangled (contributing factor)
  - external load equipment - not maintained, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - foreign object damage
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING SLING OPERATIONS, THE LONG LINE BECAME SEPARATED AND ENTANGLED IN THE TAIL ROTOR AT ABOUT 300 FEET AGL. THE PILOT LANDED THE HELICOPTER ONTO A BEACH AREA WHERE IT ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE STRIKING THE MAIN ROTOR. NO ACCIDENT REPORT HAS BEEN FILED BY EITHER THE PILOT OR THE OPERATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92PC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92PC), registered now, S/N 1290867, built 1980 (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: 1290867
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Mountain Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19880412066219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880412066219A), Apr 12, 1988: Hughes 269C, Sitka, AK, Substantial damage. Long line separated during sling operations and entangled in tail. Rotor helicopter rolled over on forced landing.

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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