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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 10, 1994 · Hughes 269C · N9616F

Livingston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Livingston, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N9616F
Operator
Omega Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA011

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AND SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND; HOWEVER, HE UNDER SHOT THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT AND STRUCK SOME TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE VIBRATION MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A BIRD STRIKE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE IMPROPER FLARE RESULTING IN AN UNDERSHOOT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. A FACTOR WAS THE BIRD STRIKE.

Full Narrative

On October 10, 1994, at 1430 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9616F, was destroyed during a forced landing. The commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. The pilot initially reported to a local law enforcement officer that he suspected that he had collided with a bird and the engine quit. He later stated that he was in cruise flight between 900 and 1,000 feet when he heard a loud bang followed by a severe vibration accompanied by a right and a left yaw. The pilot reported that he entered an autorotation, but ended up under shooting the landing area and struck several trees. In his enclosed report he reported that the vibration may have been the result of a bird strike. Examination of the helicopter at the site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the following. Physical evidence pointed to the helicopter under shooting an open field, and entering the trees in a tail low attitude. The battery switch was still in the on position, and the low fuel warning light was illuminated. There was no evidence of a fuel spillage and no fuel was found in the right fuel cell.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN9616F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOmega Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-DIA · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 12 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data