# NTSB SEA93IA073: Hughes 269B, N9474F, Mcminnville, OR, March 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1993, 11:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Mcminnville, OR
- Coordinates: 45.189739, -123.239532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1897&lon=-123.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93IA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93IA073

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A TAILWIND, AND GUSTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT APPROXIMATELY TEN FEET AGL AND TEN KNOTS FORWARD AIRSPEED, THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS TRANSITIONING FROM A DOWNWIND HOVER TO FORWARD FLIGHT, ROTATED QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MAKE A PARTIAL RECOVERY, BUT THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED TO THE RIGHT, IMPACTING THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE INSPECTOR PILOT, WHO HAD ROLLED OFF A LITTLE THROTTLE WHEN THE PILOT FIRST LOST CONTROL, MOVED THE THROTTLE TO OFF JUST PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9474F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9474F-2005-03-08), registration cancelled 2005-03-08, S/N 116-0278, built 1966 (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: 116-0278
- Airframe hours: 1710
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Precision Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Precision Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1992
- Departed: MMV
- Destination: 1S7, NEWBERG, OR
- Airport: MMV, Mcminnvile Airport, runway 34, 4,660 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 30 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19930305006779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930305006779I), Mar 5, 1993: Hughes 269B, Mcminnville, OR, Minor damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft at hover. Flight inspector grabbed control. Landing gear damaged on landing.

## Other investigations on N9474F (4)

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 SEA95LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA112), Jun 4, 1995: Hughes 269B (N9474F), Caldwell, ID, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE ENCOUNTERED WHEN HE TURNED INTO THE SUN.
- [NTSB SEA92LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA005), Oct 12, 1991: Hughes 269B (N9474F), Hillsboro, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM. FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, OVERCONFIDENCE IN AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY, AND NON-SUITABLE TERRAIN.
- [NTSB DIA69D0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0091), Oct 15, 1968: Hughes 269B (N9474F), Washington, DC, substantial damage
- [NTSB DIA68A0001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68A0001), Jul 14, 1967: Hughes 269B (N9474F), Silver Spring, MD, 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.

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