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Fatal NTSB investigations: Hughes 269B

28 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Hughes 269B. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

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Cases per year

19642026

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Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470502')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470502'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470502'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB ERA27FA004Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldInvestigation openHughes 269B · Lahmansville, WVOct 6, 2026 · N9390F NTSB DEN08FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Salesville, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the crossing transmission line.Jul 15, 2008 · N469E · Destroyed NTSB LAX03FA134Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Auburn, CAthe misjudged flare maneuver by an unknown crewmember during a likely practice autorotation that resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.Apr 11, 2003 · N16133 · Destroyed NTSB FTW91FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Brickeys, ARThe failure of the clutch control cable due to fraying which initiated the forced landing and the operator's failure to perform recommended inspections on the aircraft. Factors were the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM and the unsuitable terrain.Jul 18, 1991 · N11XC · Destroyed NTSB LAX91LA257Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269B · Cottonwood, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout. The transmission wire was a factor in the accident.Jun 9, 1991 · N103AB · Destroyed NTSB CHI88FA214Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Hampton, ILAug 21, 1988 · N9499F · Destroyed NTSB CHI88FA190Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 269B · Braceville, ILConducting maneuvering flight the PIC failed to monitor the helicopter systems and allowed the main rotor RPM to decay to the point where it would not produce enough lift to sustain flight.Aug 2, 1988 · N9522F · Destroyed NTSB FTW85FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Clint, TXN9336F, crashed while on a training flt. The certified flt instructor & his student were killed. Investigation revealed that the main drive shaft thrust bearing had failed. A service bulletin dated 1968 mandated replacement of the bearing at 300 hr time in…Nov 13, 1984 · N9336F · Destroyed NTSB LAX84FA371Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Palos Verde Est, CAGnd witnesses obsvd helicopter into normal turn at 500 ft AGL followed by a violent rt turn. During the violent turn the tail rotor assy separated & the main rotor blades coned upwards. The helicopter went into a near vertical descent & crashed. Wreckage exam…Jun 28, 1984 · N9400F · Destroyed NTSB ATL80FLG18Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Whiteville, NCAug 18, 1980 · N9435F · Destroyed NTSB NYC78FA017Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Quincy, MADec 27, 1977 · N9364F · Destroyed NTSB CHI74AC037Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Springfield, OHOct 16, 1973 · N9342F · Destroyed NTSB MKC69A0043Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Kansas City, MOJan 10, 1969 · N9496F · Destroyed NTSB DIA68A0039Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 300 · Marlow Heights, MDMar 21, 1968 · N9502F · Destroyed NTSB CHI68A0052Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Evansville, INDec 9, 1967 · N9454F · Destroyed NTSB SEA68A0041Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Imnaha, ORNov 2, 1967 · N9426F · Destroyed NTSB MKC67A0067Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Federal Dam, MNMay 12, 1967 · N700 · Destroyed NTSB CHI67A0057Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Lexington, KYOct 28, 1966 · N9461F · Destroyed NTSB NYC67A0042Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Tuxedo, MDSep 1, 1966 · N9359F · Destroyed NTSB OAK67A0001Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Oaklnd Arpt, CAJul 1, 1966 · N9378F · Destroyed NTSB SEA66A0051Accident · 3 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Beaver, ORApr 19, 1966 · N9363F · Destroyed NTSB FTW66A0086Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Little Rock, ARApr 4, 1966 · N9392F · Destroyed NTSB LAX66A0020Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Los Angeles, CASep 9, 1965 · N9347F · Substantial damage NTSB CHI66A0005Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Indianapolis, INJul 10, 1965 · N9362F · Destroyed NTSB UNK65X0299Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Crown King, AZOct 16, 1964 · N9340F · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X3056Accident · 2 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Rocheste, NYJul 26, 1964 · N9348F · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X2401Accident · 3 fatalClosedHughes 269B · Coon Rapids, MNJun 20, 1964 · N9324F · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X1888Accident · 1 fatalClosedHughes 300 · Bishop, CAMay 22, 1964 · N9353F · Destroyed