# NTSB SEA92LA079: Hughes 269C, N9675F, Silverton, OR, April 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1992, 08:22 local (15:22 UTC)
- Place: Silverton, OR
- Coordinates: 44.949787, -122.710647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9498&lon=-122.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA079

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS NOT MAINTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - guy wire
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A GUY WIRE. THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND LANDED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE LINES THAT BORDERED THE FIELD, HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SEE THE GUY WIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9675F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 820156
- Airframe hours: 7394
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Chris Harris, doing business as Grid Aviation
- Registered owner: John Inman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1992, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,247 total, 164 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19920418010429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920418010429A), Apr 18, 1992: Hughes 269C, Silverton, OR, Substantial damage. Struck guy wire of powerline while spraying a field.

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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