NTSB investigations: Hughes 269C
15 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Hughes 269C, where the first occurrence was “Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction”. 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.
Cases per year
| 1982 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470504')
AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 130))
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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470504')
AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 130))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 FTW98TA104Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHughes 269C · Brackettville, TXfailure of splines on the drive shaft coupling after separation of the forward bubber boot and loss of lubrication (grease), which resulted in a disconnect of the rotor drive system and an autorotation/forced landing. Lack of suitable terrain in the forced…NTSB IAD97LA028Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Mayfield, KYdisengagement of the main transmission aft pinion nut, allowing the tail rotor splined drive sleeve to disengage from the pinion, which resulted in loss of directional control and an emergency (autorotative) landing.NTSB CHI95LA029Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Garden City, KSinadvertant engagement of the rotor drive system, while the helicopter had been left unattended by the pilot.NTSB BFO92FA144Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · East Bernstadt, KYInadequate maintenance inspection involving failure to detect wear of the clutch spring assembly, resulting in the uncoupling of engine power to the main transmission.NTSB CHI91LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · North Mankato, MNThe fatique failure of the tail boom support strut attachment cluster and the improper inspection of the cluster attachment.NTSB BFO90FA079Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Jefferson, MDThe failure of the tail rotor drive transmission system due to a worn tail rotor splined drive sleeve, and inadequate maintenance and/or inspection by the operator. Contributing to the loss of control was the student pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor…NTSB LAX90LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Rialto, CAImproper maintenance procedure by maintenance personnel to troubleshoot a reported deficiency and the pilot's decision to demonstrate the vibration, exceeding the design limits of the helicopter and inducing ground resonance. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB FTW89LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Dickens, TXThe pilot was inspecting a herd of cattle when he thought the helicopter was developing a problem with the engine and main rotor. He started an autorotation, lost tail rotor control, and went into a left spin which continued to contact with the ground.…NTSB LAX88FA249Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Van Nuys, CAFlight with undertorqued rotor dampers.NTSB SEA88LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Sitka, AKDuring sling operations, the long line became separated and entangled in the tail rotor at about 300 feet AGL. The pilot landed the helicopter onto a beach area where it rolled over onto its left side striking the main rotor. No accident report has been filed…NTSB ATL87LA040Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Charlotte, NCWhile flying at 300' to 500' AGL on a cable patrol flt, the plt heard a loud loise. The rotor RPM started to decay & the eng RPM increased sharply. The plt initiated an autorotation to a parking lot, but had to maneuver to avoid trees & a vehicle. The…NTSB ATL86FA218Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Laurens, SCThe plt was flying an underground cable patrol at 500-600 ft AGL when the accident occurred. The plt reported pwr was set at 20' hg, 3,000 RPM when a 'very loud pop' was heard. The plt likened the sound to being hit by ground fire. The acft yawed and the eng…NTSB SEA85LA079Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Elma, WAJust prior to lift-off a vibration accompanied by lateral rocking occurred. Although the plt brought the power to idle. The helicopter had already started to come apart. During engine examination it was found that the ground resonance occurred due to under to…NTSB MKC83LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Dodge City, KSAfter dispensing a load of chemicals, the plt was returning to land when he felt a vibration in the tail boom. This was followed by a loud noise & the helicopter began turning. The plt lowered the collective & the power. Subsequently, the helicopter landed…NTSB CHI82DA149Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHughes 269C · Flint, MIThe aircrew were on an instructional flight to prepare the student, a rated pilot, for a flight instructor rating. After practicing several autorotation approaches, the helicopter was landed. The instructor pilot (ip) stated that after touchdown, he and the…