NTSB investigations: Hughes 269C, WA

12 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

19712026

NTSB investigations: Hughes 269C, WA per year, 1971–2026: 12 cases
1971	1
1973	1
1984	1
1985	1
1987	1
1995	1
1996	1
2003	1
2011	1
2014	1
2015	1
2023	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" = 'WA' 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\" = 'WA' 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" = 'WA' 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 WPR23LA105Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 269C · Yakima, WAThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a powerline while flying at low altitude over a river.Feb 6, 2023 · N7452F · Substantial damage NTSB WPR15FA204Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Asotin, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering in a canyon.Jul 1, 2015 · N9490F · Destroyed NTSB WPR14LA340Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Darrington, WAMaintenance personnel’s failure to secure the throttle mount bracket during a recent engine installation, which resulted in the loss of throttle movement and an inability to control engine power.Aug 11, 2014 · N7432F · Substantial damage NTSB WPR11LA325Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling into trees.Jul 12, 2011 · N3623Z · Substantial damage NTSB SEA03LA156Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Marblemount, WAThe partial failure of a magneto during hover taxi over water, leading to a forced landing in shallow water near the shoreline. Factors include the aircraft being over a lake at the time that the partial loss of power made it impossible to keep it airborne.Jul 25, 2003 · N500HS · Substantial damage NTSB SEA96FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Eldon, WAfatigue failure of the connecting rod cap, which resulted in loss of engine power and ditching at sea.Jun 19, 1996 · N7400F · Destroyed NTSB SEA95LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Lamont, WAUndetermined loss of engine power and an inadequate autorotation.May 10, 1995 · N7443F · Substantial damage NTSB SEA87LA109Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Vancouver, WADuring a practice run-on landing the aircraft started to vibrate violently and an almost simultaneous fire occurred. Both pilots and an eyewitness stated that the run on landing was very smooth. Both pilots stated that something mechanical let loose during…Jun 3, 1987 · N9606F · Destroyed 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…Mar 20, 1985 · N9592F · Substantial damage NTSB SEA84LA153Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Mt. St. Helens, WAThis accident occurred at the 5500 ft level on Mt. St. Helens. Density alt at the time was 7500 ft. at aprx 40-50 ft aglengine and rotor RPM began to decay rapidly. The acft landed hard on a rock ledge with one skid partially off the ledge. As rotor RPM…Jul 2, 1984 · N58397 · Destroyed NTSB SEA74DYE17Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269C · Eagle Lake, WASep 16, 1973 · N8955F · Substantial damage NTSB SEA72DYG05Accident · No injuriesClosedHughes 269C · Pullman, WAJul 30, 1971 · N9641F · Destroyed