# NTSB SEA91LA137: Hughes 269B, N9380F, Warrenton, OR, June 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1991, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, OR
- Coordinates: 46.120681, -123.909645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1207&lon=-123.9096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ROTOR SPEED DURING A SIMULATED AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HUGHES 269B HELICOPTER WAS PRACTICING SOLO AUTOROTATION LANDINGS.  DURING THE FOURTH AUTOROTATION THE ROTOR SPEED HAD DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN THE SAND DURING THE RECOVERY ATTEMPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9380F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9380F-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 64-0096, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 64-0096
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Conquest Helicopter, Inc
- Departed: SEASIDE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 314 total, 110 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19910619022729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910619022729A), Jun 19, 1991: Hughes 269B, Warrenton, OR, Substantial damage. During practice autorotations. Allowed rotor RPM delay at power recovery. Tail hit beach and main rotors hit tail.

## Other investigations on N9380F (3)

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.

- [NTSB LAX84LA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA455), Aug 25, 1984: Hughes 269B (N9380F), Goleta, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA76FLG53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLG53), Sep 11, 1976: Hughes 269B (N9380F), Batesburg, SC, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA73FLG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73FLG01-201644), Jul 13, 1973: Hughes 269B (N9380F), Wagener, SC, substantial damage

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.