Hughes 269C N26628

Summary

On 18 June 1989 at about 01:45 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N26628 was involved in an accident near Lockport, Illinois, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 June 1989 at 01:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Lockport, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

41.5802, -88.0403

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N26628

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lockport → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CHI89FA112

3 people had minor injuries.

IMPROPER FLIGHT TECHNIQUE BY THE PIC DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER FAILED TO CLIMB HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING HIS ACCELERATION TO LEVEL FLIGHT DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA FOR A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER STRUCK A TREE WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK A HOUSE, WIRES, AND ANOTHER TREE BEFORE IMPACTING TERRAIN AND ROLLING ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE FLIGHT WAS ONE OF A SERIES OF SCENIC FLIGHTS CONDUCTED BY THE OPERATOR FROM A TEMPORARY LANDING SITE AT A CARNIVAL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.