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NTSB Report
October 27, 1988 · Hughes 269C · N7463F
Dickens, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 27, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dickens, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N7463F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89LA010
THE PILOT WAS INSPECTING A HERD OF CATTLE WHEN HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER WAS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR. HE STARTED AN AUTOROTATION, LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL, AND WENT INTO A LEFT SPIN WHICH CONTINUED TO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION INDICATED AN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF THE TAIL ROTOR DUE TO A SHIFT OF THE TAIL BOOM AFTER FAILURE OF THE LEFT BOOM SUPPORT TUBE FITTING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS INSPECTING A HERD OF CATTLE WHEN HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER WAS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR. HE STARTED AN AUTOROTATION, LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL, AND WENT INTO A LEFT SPIN WHICH CONTINUED TO CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION INDICATED AN IN-FLIGHT LOSS OF THE TAIL ROTOR DUE TO A SHIFT OF THE TAIL BOOM AFTER FAILURE OF THE LEFT BOOM SUPPORT TUBE FITTING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN7463F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-DIA · Reciprocating · 210
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind235° @ 10 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO