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NTSB Report
August 10, 1985 · Hughes 269C · N8615E
Altoona, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury)
Location
Altoona, PA
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N8615E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85LA181
THE HELICOPTER WITH CFI/OWNER AND STUDENT WHO WAS FLYING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OVER HIGH TERRAIN AT ABOUT 70 MPH REPORTED A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO EFFECT AN AIRSTART. THIS WAS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PLT THEN ATTEMPTED TO ARREST THE DESCENT BUT ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH SUCH FORCE IT BROKE UP ON IMPACT. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SKIDS COLLAPSED, TAIL BOOM AND ROTOR WERE SEPARATED AT APRX THE 180 STATION, AND LOCATED APRX 25 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. DUAL CONTROLS WERE INSTALLED, EXCEPT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE WERE NO TORQUE PEDALS ATTACHED TO THE TORQUE CONTROL STUBS. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG DISCLOSED ONE MAGNETO WAS OFF ON IT'S TIMING AND THE MAGNETO HAD LOST APRX 43% OF IT'S MAGNETISM. BOTH MAGNETOS CONTAINED OIL AND CARBON BRUSH WEAR.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WITH CFI/OWNER AND STUDENT WHO WAS FLYING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OVER HIGH TERRAIN AT ABOUT 70 MPH REPORTED A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO EFFECT AN AIRSTART. THIS WAS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PLT THEN ATTEMPTED TO ARREST THE DESCENT BUT ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH SUCH FORCE IT BROKE UP ON IMPACT. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SKIDS COLLAPSED, TAIL BOOM AND ROTOR WERE SEPARATED AT APRX THE 180 STATION, AND LOCATED APRX 25 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. DUAL CONTROLS WERE INSTALLED, EXCEPT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE WERE NO TORQUE PEDALS ATTACHED TO THE TORQUE CONTROL STUBS. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG DISCLOSED ONE MAGNETO WAS OFF ON IT'S TIMING AND THE MAGNETO HAD LOST APRX 43% OF IT'S MAGNETISM. BOTH MAGNETOS CONTAINED OIL AND CARBON BRUSH WEAR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:07 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN8615E
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:30
Weather SourceWFAC