How many accidents has the Hughes 269 had?

The NTSB has recorded 390 events involving the Hughes 269: 42 fatal, 44 serious, 88 minor injuries, and 211 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Hughes 269 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Hughes 269 has 390 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Hughes 269 Safety Record

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

390

All Events

211

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (61 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jul 15, 1999	JUNEAU, AK	N8926F	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, and an inadequately planned approach. A factor associated with the accident was a tailwind.
Jun 01, 1999	PARKMAN, WY	N7052L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning by exceeding the helicopter's performance climb capability. Factors were the downdraft encountered during i… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning by exceeding the helicopter's performance climb capability. Factors were the downdraft encountered during initial climb following takeoff, and the high density altitude.
Dec 16, 1998	HANCEVILLE, AL	N271JB	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were a dark night and terrain condition.
Aug 17, 1998	HOUSTON, TX	N1103R	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable ter… The pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jan 22, 1998	BRACKETTVILLE, TX	N1093N	Minor	substantial	failure of splines on the drive shaft coupling after separation of the forward bubber boot and loss of lubrication (grease), which resulted in a disco… failure of splines on the drive shaft coupling after separation of the forward bubber boot and loss of lubrication (grease), which resulted in a disconnect of the rotor drive system and an autorotation/forced landing. Lack of suitable terrain in the forced landing area was a related factor.
Jul 20, 1997	YAMHILL, OR	N1105B	Minor	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 14, 1997	PADUCAH, KY	N9398F	Minor	substantial	The failure of maintenance personnel to identify and correct the worn holes on the lower fuselage fairing and the failure of the flight instructor to… The failure of maintenance personnel to identify and correct the worn holes on the lower fuselage fairing and the failure of the flight instructor to maintain main rotor RPM during the autorotative landing. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's lack of recent experience in performing autorotations to a landing.
Sep 24, 1996	HOUSTON, TX	N7492F	Minor	substantial	company maintenance personnel not complying with maintenance procedures and directives to inspect the helicopter's skids, which allowed the right skid… company maintenance personnel not complying with maintenance procedures and directives to inspect the helicopter's skids, which allowed the right skid to wear beyond the manufacturer's tolerances.
Aug 19, 1996	CEDAR RAPIDS, IA	N7052A	Minor	substantial	partial blocking of the fuel injection control, and a fracture of the induction air ducting for reasons undetermined. A factor was trees.
Jul 27, 1995	REDLANDS, CA	N747MK	Minor	substantial	The company's maintenance personnel improper servicing of the landing skid actuators.
Jun 04, 1995	CALDWELL, ID	N9474F	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES. FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE ENCOUNTERED WHEN HE TURNED INTO THE SUN.
Mar 16, 1995	VAN NUYS, CA	N8873F	Minor	destroyed	the operation of the helicopter with improper adjustment of the landing gear and main rotor dampers due to the inadequate maintenance inspection of th… the operation of the helicopter with improper adjustment of the landing gear and main rotor dampers due to the inadequate maintenance inspection of the helicopter by maintenance personnel and an inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot.
Jun 20, 1994	LONDON, TX	N7404F	Minor	destroyed	THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO A STICKING VALVE. FACTORS WERE THE REMAINING WORN LOBES ON THE CAMSHAFT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A SU… THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO A STICKING VALVE. FACTORS WERE THE REMAINING WORN LOBES ON THE CAMSHAFT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.
May 25, 1994	TOULON, IL	N9375S	Minor	destroyed	the improper reassembly of the main rotor blade dampers and the underservicing of the landing gear skid hydraulic struts which resulted in ground reso… the improper reassembly of the main rotor blade dampers and the underservicing of the landing gear skid hydraulic struts which resulted in ground resonance of the helicopter when the first takeoff after reassembly was attempted.
Mar 02, 1994	MERCED, CA	N9593F	Minor	substantial	the pilot's misjudgement of the descent rate and his delayed throttle application.
Sep 01, 1991	GALLOWAY, OH	N9590F	Minor	substantial	IMPROPER SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND CONTACT AND A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT… IMPROPER SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND CONTACT AND A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE NON-RATED STUDENT PILOT.
Jun 19, 1991	WARRENTON, OR	N9380F	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ROTOR SPEED DURING A SIMULATED AUTOROTATION.
Jun 13, 1991	CANBY, OR	N8944F	Minor	substantial	A HARD LANDING AFTER AN UNDETERMINED LOSS OF POWER. FACTORS INCLUDE AN EXCESSIVE EMERGENCY DESCENT RATE.
May 26, 1991	PALM SPRINGS, CA	N7033H	Minor	destroyed	LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE BY THE UNQUALIFIED PERSON AT THE CONTROLS; IMPROPER USE OF ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON. A FACTOR IN T… 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.
Jun 29, 1990	CARLSBAD, CA	N1102H	Minor	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AT A HOVER.
Jun 21, 1990	PITTSTOWN, NJ	N110ES	Minor	destroyed	GROUND RESONANCE DUE TO INADEQUATE SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE LANDING GEAR DAMPERS.
May 23, 1990	LA VERNE, CA	N8793F	Minor	substantial	GROUND RESONANCE DUE TO AN INADEQUATELY MAINTAINED STRUT.
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).
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.
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.

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

Hughes 269 Safety Record

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