# NTSB SEA88LA093: Hughes 269C, N751AM, Prineville, OR, May 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1988, 18:40 local (May 12, 1988, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Prineville, OR
- Coordinates: 44.099742, -120.660987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0997&lon=-120.6610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - separation
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REDUCED POWER FOR LANDING AND A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE POWER TO CORRECT THE SINK RATE BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. ROTOR RPM'S WERE DIMINISHING, SO THE PLT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO REGAIN RPM'S. THE PILOT ELECTED MAKE AN AUTOROTATION. THE PILOT HELD THE HELICOPTER IN A FLARE UNTIL AIRSPEED WAS EXHAUSTED. AT ABOUT 5 FEET AGL THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED VERTICALLY UNTIL IT STRUCK THE GROUND, BREAKING OFF THE RIGHT SKID. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE STRIKING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N751AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N751AM-2000-06-30), registration cancelled 2000-06-30, S/N 1280741 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1280741
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeannie Dent
- Registered owner: Jeannie Dent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RDM, REDMOND, OR
- Destination: S39, PRINEVILLE, OR
- Airport: S39, Prineville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 284 total, 209 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880511014039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880511014039A), May 11, 1988: Hughes 269C, Prineville, OR, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor speed to decay while hovering over landing area. Autorotated to hard landing. Broke skid, rolled over

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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