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NTSB Report
May 9, 1988 · Hughes 269A · N1038Y
Ozark, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ozark, AL
Aircraft
Hughes 269A
Tail Number
N1038Y
Operator
Dale County Sheriff
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88FA168
THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LEFT MAGNETO. HE REINSTALLED IT AND TIMED IT WITH THE RIGHT MAGNETO. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE FOUND TO HAVE ADVANCED TIMING. INTERNAL EXAMINATION SHOWED DISCREPANCIES WHICH WOULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND ATTEMPTED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BACKUP AUTOROTATION TO A RUN-ON LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE VERTICAL DESCENT WAS STOPPED, HOWEVER, THE FORWARD VELOCITY WAS NOT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELO SLID THROUGH A DITCH. COLLISION WITH THE FAR SIDE OF THE DITCH RESULTED IN FATAL IMPACT FORCES TRANSMITTED TO THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Full Narrative
THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LEFT MAGNETO. HE REINSTALLED IT AND TIMED IT WITH THE RIGHT MAGNETO. BOTH MAGNETOS WERE FOUND TO HAVE ADVANCED TIMING. INTERNAL EXAMINATION SHOWED DISCREPANCIES WHICH WOULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND ATTEMPTED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BACKUP AUTOROTATION TO A RUN-ON LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE VERTICAL DESCENT WAS STOPPED, HOWEVER, THE FORWARD VELOCITY WAS NOT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELO SLID THROUGH A DITCH. COLLISION WITH THE FAR SIDE OF THE DITCH RESULTED IN FATAL IMPACT FORCES TRANSMITTED TO THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269A
Tail NumberN1038Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDale County Sheriff
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-B1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 9 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:51
Weather SourceWFAC