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NTSB Report
May 18, 1989 · Hughes 269C · N58228
Rocksprings, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Rocksprings, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N58228
Operator
Rex Gordon Ivey Iii
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89DRG06
THE PLT WAS FLYING LOW & HERDING ANTELOPE, WHEN THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE TERRAIN & WAS DESTROYED. HE WAS STILL CONSCIOUS AFTER THE ACDNT, BUT DIED ABOUT 3 HRS LATER. BEFORE DYING, HE SAID THE ENG HAD LOST POWER; HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE LED TO A POWER LOSS. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE HELICOPTER HAD IMPACTED IN A LEFT BANK, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. ALL 3 MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD EVIDENCE OF HIGH FLAPPING ANGLES AT IMPACT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD, LIVER & KIDNEY REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF NORDIAZEPAM AT LEVELS OF 0.104 MG/L, 0.846 MG/L & 0.427 MG/L, RESPECTIVELY. THE TOXICOLOGIST RPRTD THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE FOR NORDIAZEPAM IN BLOOD WAS 0.02 TO 0.18 MG/L. NORDIAZAPAM IS A SEDATIVE & CNS DEPRESSANT WHICH IS NOT APPROVED FOR FLYING.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER, FAILED TO MAINTIAN PROPER ROTOR RPM, AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE GROUND, WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS HIS IMPAIRMENT FROM USE OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG (NORDIAZEPAM OR DIAZEPAM), WHICH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FLYING.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS FLYING LOW & HERDING ANTELOPE, WHEN THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE TERRAIN & WAS DESTROYED. HE WAS STILL CONSCIOUS AFTER THE ACDNT, BUT DIED ABOUT 3 HRS LATER. BEFORE DYING, HE SAID THE ENG HAD LOST POWER; HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE LED TO A POWER LOSS. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE HELICOPTER HAD IMPACTED IN A LEFT BANK, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. ALL 3 MAIN ROTOR BLADES HAD EVIDENCE OF HIGH FLAPPING ANGLES AT IMPACT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD, LIVER & KIDNEY REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF NORDIAZEPAM AT LEVELS OF 0.104 MG/L, 0.846 MG/L & 0.427 MG/L, RESPECTIVELY. THE TOXICOLOGIST RPRTD THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE FOR NORDIAZEPAM IN BLOOD WAS 0.02 TO 0.18 MG/L. NORDIAZAPAM IS A SEDATIVE & CNS DEPRESSANT WHICH IS NOT APPROVED FOR FLYING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN58228
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRex Gordon Ivey Iii
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360 · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC