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
May 09, 1990 FORT PIERCE, FL N58275 Minor destroyed
IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE AUTOROTATION BY THE DUAL STUDENT (ATP), HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI, AND…

IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE AUTOROTATION BY THE DUAL STUDENT (ATP), HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI, AND INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OBSTRUCTION (TAXIWAY LIGHT).

Feb 24, 1990 HOUMA, LA N7504A Incident substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.
Feb 10, 1990 ENCINAL, TX N58204 Incident substantial THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CABLE.
Jan 06, 1990 RIALTO, CA N7456F Incident destroyed
THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHEN HE ALLOWED A STUDENT TO PERFORM IN AN UNSAFE MANNER WI…

THE LACK OF ADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHEN HE ALLOWED A STUDENT TO PERFORM IN AN UNSAFE MANNER WITHOUT TAKING IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION.

Nov 15, 1989 ESTACADA, OR N9592F Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HER EXTERNAL LOAD AND THE OBSTRUCTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTION, IMPROPER MAINTENA…

THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE BETWEEN HER EXTERNAL LOAD AND THE OBSTRUCTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTION, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND MODIFICATION OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD LINE/HOOK BY THE OPERATOR, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD, AND A FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR MANAGEMENT TO ASSURE THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED ADEQUATE TRAINING/CERTIFICATION.

Sep 28, 1989 BLOOMINGTON, MN N95KS Incident substantial FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DAWN AND THE VEHICLES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Sep 21, 1989 LEXINGTON, MS N9318F Minor substantial FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LINEAR ACTUATOR LUG. A RELATED FACTOR WAS: TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Sep 18, 1989 AGANA, USA N8134Y Fatal (2) destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE POWER LINE. THE POWER LINE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Aug 31, 1989 PARKERSBURG, WV N58281 Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE (MOVEMENT) OF THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL DURING ENGINE OPERATION BEFORE SHUTDOWN, AND A SUBSEQUENT LIFT-OFF, LOSS OF CONTROL, …

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT USE (MOVEMENT) OF THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL DURING ENGINE OPERATION BEFORE SHUTDOWN, AND A SUBSEQUENT LIFT-OFF, LOSS OF CONTROL, ROLL OVER, AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

Aug 25, 1989 JACKSONVILLE, FL N9014N Minor substantial
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. THE TRANSMISS…

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK-OUT BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS.

Aug 19, 1989 SALUDA, SC N8773F Incident substantial STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LIFT-OFF AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
Aug 05, 1989 HOLLYWOOD, FL N81AM Serious (1) destroyed
THE SEVERE FUSELAGE VIBRATION (GROUND RESONANCE) AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO AVOID OR COMPENSATE FOR THE OCCURRENCE. A FACTOR RELAT…

THE SEVERE FUSELAGE VIBRATION (GROUND RESONANCE) AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO AVOID OR COMPENSATE FOR THE OCCURRENCE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW SHOCK STRUT.

Jul 25, 1989 KALAPANA, HI N58344 Serious (1) substantial
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NO. 2 CYLINDER AND THE DISREGARD OF THE LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN BY CO…

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NO. 2 CYLINDER AND THE DISREGARD OF THE LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION AND TREES LOCATED AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.

Jul 01, 1989 BALTIMORE, MD N1113Z Incident substantial
THE PILOT LANDED ON UNSUITABLE SOFT TERRAIN WHICH CAUSED THE LANDING SKID TO SINK INTO THE GROUND. THIS RESULTED IN A LANDING SKID OVERLOAD FAILURE AN…

THE PILOT LANDED ON UNSUITABLE SOFT TERRAIN WHICH CAUSED THE LANDING SKID TO SINK INTO THE GROUND. THIS RESULTED IN A LANDING SKID OVERLOAD FAILURE AND NOSE OVER OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

Jun 18, 1989 LOCKPORT, IL N26628 Minor destroyed IMPROPER FLIGHT TECHNIQUE BY THE PIC DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA.
Jun 10, 1989 RAINBOW VALLEY, CA N58323 Fatal (2) destroyed
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT …

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT (FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY IN MARGINAL VFR WEATHER, AND THE TRANSMISSION LINE.

Jun 06, 1989 MILLERSVILLE, IL N7439F Incident destroyed LOSS OF ROTOR RPM FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION WHILE APPLYING AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS.
May 27, 1989 SWANTON, VT CFBMF Incident substantial THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
May 18, 1989 ROCKSPRINGS, TX N58228 Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER, FAILED TO MAINTIAN PROPER ROTOR RPM, AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (CLEARANCE) AB…

THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER, FAILED TO MAINTIAN PROPER ROTOR RPM, AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE GROUND, WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS HIS IMPAIRMENT FROM USE OF A PRESCRIPTION DRUG (NORDIAZEPAM OR DIAZEPAM), WHICH WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FLYING.

May 11, 1989 OZARK, AL N9049J Incident substantial THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE USE OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL AND THE MISJUDGED FLARE DURING A PRACTICE TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION.
Apr 11, 1989 ROSEHAYN, NJ N1093Y Serious (1) substantial THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED TOUCHDOWN AND ROLLOVER OF THE HELICOPTER.
Apr 08, 1989 LONG BEACH, CA N9456F Minor substantial
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…

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.

Mar 30, 1989 MESA, AZ N58164 Incident substantial IMPROPER FLARE BY THE STUDENT PILOT, AND IMPROPER SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI).
Mar 22, 1989 DE KALB, IL N8642F Serious (1) destroyed
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CONNECTING ROD WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE BROKEN RING IN THE NUMBER ONE …

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CONNECTING ROD WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FAILURE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE BROKEN RING IN THE NUMBER ONE PISTON AND A DETERIORATED CENTER MAIN BEARING.

Mar 20, 1989 SAIPAN, CQ N7470F Incident substantial
FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO ASSURE THE HELICOPTER WAS SERVICED WITH THE PROPER GRADE OF FUEL. A FACTOR REALATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK…

FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO ASSURE THE HELICOPTER WAS SERVICED WITH THE PROPER GRADE OF FUEL. A FACTOR REALATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA, WHICH RESULTED IN HAVING TO DITCH THE HELICOPTER IN THE WATER.

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