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NTSB Report
December 26, 1990 · Hughes 269A · N90270
Sellersburg, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sellersburg, IN
Aircraft
Hughes 269A
Tail Number
N90270
Operator
Hap S Aerial Enterprises
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91LA048
THE PILOT WAS CHECKING THE RADIOS DURING A LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WANTED SOME CABIN HEAT, REACHED FOR THE CABIN HEATER LEVER, AND MOVED IT TO WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS THE FULL 'ON' POSITION. HE LATER LEARNED HE MOVED THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL TO THE FULL 'LEAN' POSITION. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT HAD LITTLE TIME TO AFFECT A STABILIZED AUTOROTATION. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER SLID SIDEWAYS ON WET SOD AND ROLLED OVER.
NTSB Probable Cause
A PILOT INDUCED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BY INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS CHECKING THE RADIOS DURING A LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WANTED SOME CABIN HEAT, REACHED FOR THE CABIN HEATER LEVER, AND MOVED IT TO WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS THE FULL 'ON' POSITION. HE LATER LEARNED HE MOVED THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL TO THE FULL 'LEAN' POSITION. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT HAD LITTLE TIME TO AFFECT A STABILIZED AUTOROTATION. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER SLID SIDEWAYS ON WET SOD AND ROLLED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269A
Tail NumberN90270
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHap S Aerial Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360B1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC