NTSB investigations: Hughes 269C, KY

9 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Hughes 269C. 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19772026

NTSB investigations: Hughes 269C, KY per year, 1977–2026: 9 cases
1977	1
1981	1
1982	1
1985	1
1986	1
1990	1
1992	1
1996	1
2001	1

Where

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Latest cases

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'KY' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470504')) 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'KY' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470504'))
  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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'KY' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470504'))
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 NYC01LA131Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Fairfield, KYThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout during takeoff, and his inadequate reconnoiter of the area prior to takeoff.May 28, 2001 · N9660F · Substantial damage 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.Dec 4, 1996 · N1105P · Substantial damage 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.Sep 25, 1992 · N9609F · Destroyed NTSB BFO91LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Louisville, KYFatigue failure of the number 1 cylinder connecting rod.Nov 15, 1990 · N9280F · Substantial damage NTSB ATL87LA044Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Bowling Green, KYWhile hovering in a grassy area near the hangar facility, the pilot experienced a complete loss of flight control. The helicopter struck the ground and sustained substantial damage. The helicopter component examination failed to disclose any system…Dec 14, 1986 · N7416F · Destroyed NTSB ATL85LA259Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Elizabethtown, KYAfter takeoff from off airport landing zone, the acft encountered heavy raninshowers and the plt attempted to return to the landing zone. Visibility was such that the plt was unable to see the ground and the tailrotor contacted a lake adjacent to the landing…Aug 25, 1985 · N9280F · Substantial damage NTSB ATL82DA258Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHughes 269C · Louisville, KYThe pilot received a weather briefing before taking off on an aerial traffic patrol for a local radio station. He was issued a special VFR clearance to follow a pre-established route. However, after departing, he encountered thunderstorm activity. He returned…Sep 1, 1982 · N8982F · Substantial damage NTSB ATL81ILQ12Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 300C · Muray, KYJan 17, 1981 · N8656F · Substantial damage NTSB IAD77FLQ14Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHughes 269C · Louisville, KYMay 31, 1977 · N9498F · Substantial damage