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NTSB Report
May 15, 1985 · Hughes 269 · N7485F
Stonington, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Stonington, IL
Aircraft
Hughes 269
Tail Number
N7485F
Operator
Ray Phillips
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85LA197
AFTER COMPLETING A SWATH RUN, THE PLT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER UP OVER A POWER LINE, THEN MADE A TURN-AROUND FOR ANOTHER SWATH RUN. HE STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE NEXT RUN, HE 'FELT THE WIND PUSH THE TAIL UPWARD FORCING THE NOSE DOWNWARD...' HE APPLIED AFT CYCLIC TO LEVEL THE HELICOPTER & FULL COLLECTIVE TO STOP THE DESCENT. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, THEN ROLLED FORWARD & CAME TO REST INVERTED. ABOUT 13 MI NORTHEAST AT DECATUR, IL, THE 1800 CDT WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 16 KTS. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 24 KTS.
Full Narrative
AFTER COMPLETING A SWATH RUN, THE PLT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER UP OVER A POWER LINE, THEN MADE A TURN-AROUND FOR ANOTHER SWATH RUN. HE STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE NEXT RUN, HE 'FELT THE WIND PUSH THE TAIL UPWARD FORCING THE NOSE DOWNWARD...' HE APPLIED AFT CYCLIC TO LEVEL THE HELICOPTER & FULL COLLECTIVE TO STOP THE DESCENT. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, THEN ROLLED FORWARD & CAME TO REST INVERTED. ABOUT 13 MI NORTHEAST AT DECATUR, IL, THE 1800 CDT WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 16 KTS. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 24 KTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269
Tail NumberN7485F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRay Phillips
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 16 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC