# NTSB SEA93LA001: Hughes 269C, N7400F, Hillsboro, OR, October 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1992, 07:12 local (14:12 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.439575, -122.960029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4396&lon=-122.9600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE HOVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN ROTORCRAFT AND HIS DIVERSION OF ATTENTION WHILE HOVERING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

WHILE ENGAGED IN A HOVER THE ATP RATED PILOT, WHO HAD ONLY 9.0 HOURS OF ROTORCRAFT TIME OF WHICH 3.5 HOURS WERE SOLO, ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO DESCEND AND SLIP AFT. DURING THE ENSUING GROUND COLLISION THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO A DEPARTING BUSINESS JET DURING WHICH TIME THE GROUND COLLISION OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7400F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7400F-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 250397, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 250397
- Airframe hours: 1952
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wilson, Jerry L., doing business as Hangar 53
- Registered owner: Wilson, Jerry L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 29, 1992, 15 hours before
- Airport: HIO, Portland-Hillsboro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,083 total, 9 in this make and model, 5,885 as pilot in command, 209 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19921001042969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921001042969A), Oct 1, 1992: Hughes 269C, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Allowed a skid to touch ground on a practice hover. Helicopter entered dynamic rollover.

## Other investigations on N7400F (1)

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 SEA96FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA130), Jun 19, 1996: Hughes 269C (N7400F), Eldon, WA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: fatigue failure of the connecting rod cap, which resulted in loss of engine power and ditching at sea.

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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