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NTSB Report
February 10, 1990 · Hughes 269C · N58204
Encinal, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 10, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Encinal, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N58204
Operator
Smith Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA065
DURING A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION OVER ROUGH TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT EXPEREINCED A LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE/DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO A FAILED TAIL ROTOR CABLE. THE PILOT FOLLOWED THE PUBLISHED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT, THEN ROLLED LEFT AND STRUCK THE GROUND ON ITS LEFT SIDE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CABLE.
Full Narrative
DURING A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION OVER ROUGH TERRAIN, THE AIRCRAFT EXPEREINCED A LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE/DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO A FAILED TAIL ROTOR CABLE. THE PILOT FOLLOWED THE PUBLISHED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT, THEN ROLLED LEFT AND STRUCK THE GROUND ON ITS LEFT SIDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CST
Nearest AirportFred Ash Ranch (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN58204
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSmith Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility18 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time06:45
Weather SourceWFAC