Hughes 269C N9490F

Summary

On 1 July 2015 at about 17:00 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N9490F was involved in an accident near Asotin, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2015 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Asotin, Washington, United States

Coordinates

46.2425, -117.0811

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N9490F

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lewiston → Lewiston

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15FA204

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines while maneuvering in a canyon.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

**This report was modified on September 30, 2016. Please refer to the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The private pilot and passenger were on a local area flight. While maneuvering in a canyon, the helicopter impacted power lines and descended to the canyon's wall. A fire ensued and burned the surrounding area. The power lines were located 350 ft south of the wreckage with two 35-ft support structures (wood poles) on either side of the canyon about 1,452 ft apart. The two 5/16-inch diameter power lines were oriented east-west and ran horizontally parallel to one another. Ground scar analysis and wreckage fragmentation revealed that the helicopter contacted the power lines in the area of the swashplate. According to the helicopter manufacturer, if the helicopter were in level flight at cruise speed, 0.11 seconds would transpire between the contact with the first wire (canopy) and the second wire (slat and mast). Given the damage and rub marks, it is likely that, after the second wire impact, the helicopter pitched up and yawed left. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The private pilot had about 55 hours total time, most of which was accumulated around the accident area.  

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.