Hughes 269 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 390 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

390

All Events

211

Incidents

88

Minor

44

Serious

42

Fatal (61 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jan 27, 2026 Paekakariki Hill, NZ ZK-HGP Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 09, 2025 Dippenricht, GE D-HSEP Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 01, 2024 Danbury, NH N8045H Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.
Jun 27, 2023 Anderson, SC N90270 Incident substantial The mechanics’ improper torquing of the main rotor blade dampers, which resulted in a ground resonance event during landing.
Mar 09, 2023 Titusville, FL N8911F Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during an autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rotor blade strike of t…

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during an autorotation which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rotor blade strike of the tail boom.

Feb 23, 2023 Budaors, HU HA-HBQ Incident substantial Investigation pending
Feb 06, 2023 Yakima, WA N7452F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to see and avoid a powerline while flying at low altitude over a river.
Apr 02, 2022 Fort White, FL N7057L Minor substantial
The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a co…

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.

Dec 14, 2021 Crowley, TX N8827F Incident substantial
The student pilot’s encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during hover, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted …

The student pilot’s encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during hover, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted in an emergency landing and impact with terrain.

Nov 14, 2021 Klinga, OF D-HOHL Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 13, 2021 Spanish Fork, UT N7480F Incident substantial The loss of engine power during a practice autorotation for an undetermined reason.
Aug 25, 2019 Shamokin, PA N653CH Incident substantial
The pilot's improper landing flare during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power f…

The pilot's improper landing flare during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Jul 24, 2019 Springfield, TN N269RR Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hover-taxiing and turning toward a taxiway in gusting …

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hover-taxiing and turning toward a taxiway in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

May 15, 2019 Hampton, GA N9422F Incident substantial Ground resonance during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Mar 14, 2018 San Antonio, TX N11047 Minor substantial The pilot’s decision to relinquish the helicopter flight controls to a non-rated passenger during a 3 ft hover.
Mar 10, 2018 Jacksonville, FL N9020M Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover.
Jun 10, 2017 Tallulah, LA N7482F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to reset the cyclic trim before takeoff, which resulted in ground resonance.
Sep 22, 2016 Ozark, AL N269BS Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful postaccident engine run on the accident helicopter.
Aug 10, 2016 Howe, TX N9277R Fatal (1) substantial
The improper execution of an autorotation following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to …

The improper execution of an autorotation following the loss of engine power, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of remedial action during the autorotation.

Jul 29, 2016 Morris, MN N269JB Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to his distraction by the navigation system.
Jul 01, 2016 Cullman, AL N9658F Incident substantial
The helicopter flight instructor candidate's improper execution of the autorotation, resulting in abnormal ground contact and subsequent damage to the…

The helicopter flight instructor candidate's improper execution of the autorotation, resulting in abnormal ground contact and subsequent damage to the vertical stabilizer and tail rotor drive assembly.

Jun 21, 2016 Princeton, CA N941BD Minor substantial The uncertificated pilot's failure to maintain pitch and directional control, which resulted in an impact with terrain and a rollover.
Sep 25, 2015 Eustis, FL N9567F Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain yaw control as he slowed the helicopter during a landing approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due …

The pilot's failure to maintain yaw control as he slowed the helicopter during a landing approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Sep 19, 2015 Hartford, AL N141LL Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his subsequent failure to attain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his subsequent failure to attain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a wire fence.

Aug 05, 2015 Atkinson, IL N9427F Serious (1) destroyed
The pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line…

The pilot's improper decision to intentionally fly the helicopter at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a power line.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data