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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 23, 1986 · Hughes 269 · N9288F

Kahului, HI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Kahului, HI
Aircraft
Hughes 269
Tail Number
N9288F
Operator
Frederick Slusser
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA188

A HUGHES 269 WENT OUT OF CONTROL AFTER TURNING LEFT INTO A 20 KT TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENG WAS RUN ON A ENG TEST STAND AND NO DEFICIENTCIES WERE FOUND. A FUEL SAMPLE WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFIED PARAMETERS. AC 61-13B STATES 'HOVERING TURNS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN WINDS STRONG ENOUGH TO PRECLUDE SUFFICIENT AFT CYCLIC CONTROL TO MAINTAIN THE HELICOPTER ON SELECTED SURFACE REFERENCE POINT WHEN HEADED DOWNWIND. CHECK THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT MANUAL FOR MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS LIMITATION.' 'HOVERING POWER REQUIRES A LARGE AMOUNT OF LEFT PEDAL TO MAINTAIN HEADING. SUFFICIENT LEFT PEDAL IN EXCESS OF THIS AMOUNT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT AN UNCONTROLLED TURN TO THE RIGHT ONCE THE TURN HAS BEGUN.' THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE HUGHES MODEL 269C STATES THAT 'CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE IN 20 MPH (17.4 KTS) WINDS FROM ANY DIRECTION.' THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 080 DEG AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 29 KTS.

Full Narrative

A HUGHES 269 WENT OUT OF CONTROL AFTER TURNING LEFT INTO A 20 KT TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENG WAS RUN ON A ENG TEST STAND AND NO DEFICIENTCIES WERE FOUND. A FUEL SAMPLE WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN SPECIFIED PARAMETERS. AC 61-13B STATES 'HOVERING TURNS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN WINDS STRONG ENOUGH TO PRECLUDE SUFFICIENT AFT CYCLIC CONTROL TO MAINTAIN THE HELICOPTER ON SELECTED SURFACE REFERENCE POINT WHEN HEADED DOWNWIND. CHECK THE HELICOPTER FLIGHT MANUAL FOR MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS LIMITATION.' 'HOVERING POWER REQUIRES A LARGE AMOUNT OF LEFT PEDAL TO MAINTAIN HEADING. SUFFICIENT LEFT PEDAL IN EXCESS OF THIS AMOUNT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT AN UNCONTROLLED TURN TO THE RIGHT ONCE THE TURN HAS BEGUN.' THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE HUGHES MODEL 269C STATES THAT 'CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE IN 20 MPH (17.4 KTS) WINDS FROM ANY DIRECTION.' THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 080 DEG AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 29 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:49 HST
Nearest AirportKAHULUI (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269
Tail NumberN9288F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFrederick Slusser
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 20 kt, gusting 29 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data