1990-06-22: Hughes 269C — Saluda, SC

Casualties unknown • Saluda, SC, US

Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN FOR HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE OPERATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN SETTLING WITH POWER TO THE GROUND.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PRACTICE LOW LEVEL MANEUVERS FOR UTILITY LINE OBSERVATION. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN EXCESS OF 100 DEGREES AND THE PILOT WAS OPERATING AT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AT SLOW AIRSPEEDS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 4200 FEET. THE PILOT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DESCENDING. THE PILOT SAID HE ADDED POWER, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED SETTLING UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-06-22 Hughes 269C accident near Saluda, SC?

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PRACTICE LOW LEVEL MANEUVERS FOR UTILITY LINE OBSERVATION. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN EXCESS OF 100 DEGREES AND THE PILOT WAS OPERATING AT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AT SLOW AIRSPEEDS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 4200 FEET. THE PILOT BEGAN A RIGHT TURN AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-06-22 involved a Hughes 269C, registration N7448F, at Saluda, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PLAN FOR HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE OPERATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN SETTLING WITH POWER TO THE GROUND.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23329. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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