Aviation Crash Map

Hughes 269A N7033H

26 May 1991 · Palm Springs, California, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 26 May 1991 at about 22:30 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N7033H, operated by James D. LEE, was involved in an accident near Palm Springs, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 22:30
Classification
Accident
Location
Palm Springs, California, United States
Nearest airport
Palm Springs Regional (PSP)
Coordinates
Not recorded
Aircraft
Hughes 269A
Registration
N7033H
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
James D. LEE
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Unknown → Chino
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
LAX91LA224

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
2 0 0 1 1

Probable cause

LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE BY THE UNQUALIFIED PERSON AT THE CONTROLS; IMPROPER USE OF ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FENCE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS HOVERING THE HELICOPTER, BUT DUE TO THE WIND, HE LOST CONTROL. THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE REPORTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS REGIONAL AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER TO BE FROM 340 DEGREES AT 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK A FENCE; ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT; AND ROLLED OVER WHEN IT CONTACTED THE GROUND. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID, 'I CAN NOT FURNISH A COPY OF A CURRENT PILOT OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, SINCE I HAVE NONE.' A REVIEW OF FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RECORDS REVEALED NO RECORD OF A PILOT CERTIFICATE OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE EVER BEING ISSUED TO THE PILOT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Hughes 269 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Jan 1991 Hughes 269C
N9574F
Deland, Florida, United States Maverick Helicopters, Inc. No injuries -
18 Aug 1991 Hughes 269A-1
N65372
No. Little Rock, Arkansas, United States North Little Rock Aviation No injuries -
14 May 1991 Hughes 269B
N9506F
Grand Ronde, Oregon, United States Precision Helicopters Inc. No injuries -
13 Jun 1991 Hughes 269A-1
N8944F
Canby, Oregon, United States Noble Helicopters, Inc Minor injuries -
1 Jul 1991 Hughes 269C
N11017
Blakely, Georgia, United States
no coordinates
Flight Safety International Fatal 1
19 Jun 1991 Hughes 269B
N9380F
Warrenton, Oregon, United States Conquest Helicopter, Inc Minor injuries -

All 1,213 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
20 Jul 1991 Cessna C-172P
N54694
Hesperia, California, United States South Bay Aviation No injuries -
24 Jul 1991 Cessna 172N
N5352D
Napa, California, United States Bridgeford Flying SVC. No injuries -
24 Jul 1991 Beechcraft 76
N6045M
Sacramento, California, United States Altair Aviation Corp. No injuries -
27 Jul 1991 Ayres S2R
N3087D
Visalia, California, United States Gilbert Aviation Industries Serious injuries -
1 Aug 1991 Cessna 421C
N98455
Auburn, California, United States Edward Mueller No injuries -
2 Aug 1991 Champion 7GCBC
N1693G
Lake Elsinore, California, United States
no coordinates
Halbeisen, John F Fatal 2

All 170,864 records in United States