On November 2, 1994, a Hughes 269C (registration N9294F) was involved in an aviation accident near Garden City, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to leave the helicopter unattended with the engine at idle and the rotor system disengaged, which led to the engine accelerating and engaging the rotor drive belts, causing the aircraft to move uncontrolled. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter moved uncontrolled across the ground after the pilot left it unattended with the engine at idle, striking a pole and sustaining substantial damage.
What happened
The incident occurred when the pilot departed the helicopter while leaving it unattended. At the time of departure, the engine was maintained at an idle setting, and the rotor system drive mechanism was disengaged. While no one was in control of the aircraft, the engine speed increased, causing the rotor system drive belts to engage unexpectedly.
This engagement resulted in the helicopter moving across the ground without pilot input. The uncontrolled aircraft eventually struck a pole, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. A post-crash inspection of the helicopter revealed that the collective control was found in the full up position.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to leave the helicopter unattended with the engine at idle and the rotor system disengaged, which led to the engine accelerating and engaging the rotor drive belts, causing the aircraft to move uncontrolled.