# NTSB SEA95LA112: Hughes 269B, N9474F, Caldwell, ID, June 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1995, 08:18 local (14:18 UTC) - Place: Caldwell, ID - Coordinates: 43.659553, -116.629493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6596&lon=-116.6295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42159 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42159/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA112 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE ENCOUNTERED WHEN HE TURNED INTO THE SUN. ## 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 - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS RETURNING FROM AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATIONS WHEN HE ELECTED TO LOOK OVER THE NEXT FIELD HE WAS GOING TO SPRAY. HE SAID HIS INTENT WAS TO FLY AROUND A HOUSE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE FIELD AND THEN DROP DOWN TO FLY PARALLEL TO THE POWER LINES ORIENTED EAST-WEST BETWEEN TWO FIELDS. AS HE BANKED AROUND THE HOUSE AND FLEW EAST INTO THE SUN, HE DID NOT SEE THE HOUSE'S POWER POLE AND ASSOCIATED SERVICE LINE. THE ROTORCRAFT IMPACTED THE SERVICE LINE APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND 150 FEET FURTHER EAST. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1995, approximately 0818 hours mountain daylight time (mdt), a Hughes 269B, N9474F, was destroyed when it collided with terrain immediately after impacting power lines while maneuvering near Caldwell, Idaho. The commercial pilot/owner sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was engaged in the application of furodan dimetholade, was to have been operated under 14CFR137, and originated from a site near the accident approximately 0810. The pilot stated that he had completed an application run and was returning to the loading site, when he elected to survey the next field to be sprayed. He stated that his intent was to fly around the house located west of the intended fields and to "drop down to fly parallel to the power lines that were running east and west between the two fields." As he banked around the house into an easterly heading into the sun, he did not see the north-south power lines in his flight path. The pilot reported that the power line pole servicing the house was obstructed by trees (refer to pilots diagram, NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The pilot reported impacting the power line about 20 feet above ground at an estimated speed of 50 mph. On site examination by an FAA inspector determined that the rotorcraft impacted the ground approximately 150 feet east of the wire strike. ## 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: 1160278 - Airframe hours: 10611 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Scott Taylor Farms, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 2, 1995, 17 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 100 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: U35, 5 nm away ## 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 19950604013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950604013899A), Jun 4, 1995: Hughes 269B, Caldwell, ID, Destroyed. Flew low to survey a field to be sprayed. Looking into sun failed to see powerline. Impacted same and crashed. ## 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 SEA93IA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93IA073), Mar 5, 1993: Hughes 269B (N9474F), Mcminnville, OR, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A TAILWIND, AND GUSTS. - [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. --- 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.