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NTSB Report
March 17, 1987 · Hughes 269B · N9522F
South Bend, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
South Bend, IN
Aircraft
Hughes 269B
Tail Number
N9522F
Operator
Sportflight Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87LA098
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER DEPARTURE FROM AURORA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, HE LANDED AT AN AIRFIELD WEST OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS AND PICKED UP THE TWO PASSENGERS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THEN DEPARTED FOR ELKHART, INDIANA. ACCORDING TO AN INDIANA STATE POLICE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, WHILE EN ROUTE TO ELKHART, THE PLT OBSERVED AN ILLUMINATED LOW FUEL LIGHT AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, ABOUT THREE MILES SOUTHWEST OF MICHIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. THE REPORT FURTHER STATES THAT THE GAS TANK OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND EMPTY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, 'SUBSTANTIAL ACFT DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING FLARE AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.'
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER DEPARTURE FROM AURORA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, HE LANDED AT AN AIRFIELD WEST OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS AND PICKED UP THE TWO PASSENGERS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THEN DEPARTED FOR ELKHART, INDIANA. ACCORDING TO AN INDIANA STATE POLICE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, WHILE EN ROUTE TO ELKHART, THE PLT OBSERVED AN ILLUMINATED LOW FUEL LIGHT AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, ABOUT THREE MILES SOUTHWEST OF MICHIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. THE REPORT FURTHER STATES THAT THE GAS TANK OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND EMPTY. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, 'SUBSTANTIAL ACFT DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING FLARE AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269B
Tail NumberN9522F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSportflight Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-AIA · Reciprocating · 180
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC