No fatalities

HUGHES 269A accident at Fort White, FL, 2 Apr 2022

Fort White, FL, United States

On April 2, 2022, a HUGHES 269A operated by TRI COUNTY RENTALS AND SALES INC was involved in an aviation accident near Fort White, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and 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 non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotRelated operating infoEffect on operation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Apr 2022 HUGHES 269A accident near Fort White, FL?

The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Apr 2022 HUGHES 269A accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Apr 2022 involved a HUGHES 269A, operated by TRI COUNTY RENTALS AND SALES INC, at Fort White, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.