No fatalities

HUGHES 269A accident at Crowley, TX, 14 Dec 2021

Crowley, TX, United States

On December 14, 2021, a HUGHES 269A was involved in an aviation accident near Crowley, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during hover, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted in an emergency landing and impact with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The student pilot’s encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during hover, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted in an emergency landing and impact with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Dec 2021 HUGHES 269A accident near Crowley, TX?

The student pilot’s encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during hover, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted in an emergency landing and impact with terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 14 Dec 2021 HUGHES 269A accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Dec 2021 involved a HUGHES 269A, at Crowley, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during hover, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted in an emergency landing and impact with terrain.