Hughes 269B N9456F

Summary

On 8 April 1989 at about 18:10 local time, a Hughes 269B registered N9456F, operated by Novo Helicopter Service, was involved in an accident near Long Beach, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 April 1989 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Long Beach, California, United States

Nearest airport

Daugherty Field (LGB)

Coordinates

33.8206, -118.1108

Aircraft

Hughes 269B

Registration

N9456F

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Novo Helicopter Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX89LA152

2 people had minor injuries.

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH LED TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF HELICOPTER WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE FLT BEGAN WITH ABOUT 20 GAL OF FUEL IN THE ACFT'S 30 GAL FUEL TANK. ABOUT 1.7 HRS LATER, AS THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND, HE REPORTED A 'SLIGHT FUEL SITUATION.' ABOUT 2 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED AS THE PLT WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A STREET ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE ARPT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.