Hughes 269 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 390 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 23, 2008 | Bremen, OH | N2256W | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor speed during the quick-stop maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the drainage ditch. |
| Apr 27, 2008 | Lincoln, NE | N1020Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to properly execute a steep approach, which resulted in a tail strike and a loss of control. |
| Apr 23, 2008 | Killeen, TX | N9064N | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM and a safe rate of descent during the autorotation. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. |
| Mar 21, 2008 | Franklin Furnac, OH | N9333V | Incident | substantial | The fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command. A contributing factor was the trees. |
| Jul 30, 2007 | Three Forks, MT | N428MS | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during autorotation. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision was a factor. |
| Dec 30, 2006 | Mineral Wells, TX | N9655F | Incident | substantial | The loss of control as result of loss of tail rotor effectiveness. |
| Dec 11, 2006 | Houma, LA | N9396F | Incident | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power as a result of a cracked engine cylinder and broken spark plug which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was that it w…A partial loss of engine power as a result of a cracked engine cylinder and broken spark plug which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was that it was not possible to attain proper rotor RPM. |
| May 26, 2006 | Concord, NC | N269RS | Incident | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while maneuvering, resulting in a forced landing to uneven terrain and a roll over. |
| May 03, 2006 | Sullivan, OH | N9471F | Incident | substantial |
Fatigue failure of the fuselage-to-tail boom cluster fitting, and the secondary failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. An additional cause was the in…Fatigue failure of the fuselage-to-tail boom cluster fitting, and the secondary failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. An additional cause was the incomplete compliance with an applicable Airworthiness Directive. A factor was the ditch. |
| Nov 05, 2005 | Omaha, NE | N1020Q | Incident | substantial |
The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the pilot's improper execution of the emergency procedure which resulted in an excessive desce…The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the pilot's improper execution of the emergency procedure which resulted in an excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing. |
| Aug 12, 2005 | Ashland, OR | N488MC | Incident | substantial |
The inability of the dual student to maintain directional control of the helicopter during the landing roll when the left skid sank into an area of th…The inability of the dual student to maintain directional control of the helicopter during the landing roll when the left skid sank into an area of thick, soft, sticky tar, and the instructor pilot's improper decision to perform a full-down autorotational landing to a surface which had already shown itself to be soft. Factors include a soft, sticky landing surface, and high temperature that contributed to the softening of the landing surface. |
| Jun 23, 2005 | Bruceville, TX | N7487F | Incident | substantial | The flight instructor's improper flare during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factor was, the lack of suitable terrain. |
| Apr 17, 2005 | Whitefish, MT | N7054C | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Gusting winds and …The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Gusting winds and the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions were contributing factors. |
| Jan 29, 2005 | Englewood, CO | N9688F | Incident | substantial |
the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors wer…the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were low rotor rpm, low airspeed, and the instructor's delay in taking remedial action. |
| Oct 10, 2004 | Minerva, OH | N7423F | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during liftoff. |
| Jul 10, 2004 | Arlington, WA | N56PH | Incident | substantial |
A significant power loss for undetermined reasons while in cruise flight, leading to a full autorotational landing. Factors include no suitable terrai…A significant power loss for undetermined reasons while in cruise flight, leading to a full autorotational landing. Factors include no suitable terrain in the area, and soft swampy terrain at the point where the pilot found it necessary to perform the forced landing. |
| Mar 27, 2004 | Farmingdale, NY | N9520F | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while hover-taxiing. A factor in this accident was the high wind condition. |
| Nov 07, 2003 | Birmingham, AL | N1015T | Incident | substantial | The certified flight instructor's inadequate aircraft control and his improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing and roll over. |
| Oct 26, 2003 | Hillsboro, OR | N7452F | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a practice auto rotation landing. A contributing factor was the soft terrain. |
| Aug 25, 2003 | Columbia, CA | N58363 | Incident | substantial | the student pilot's improper execution of the autorotation. Also causal, was the CFI's delayed remedial action and supervision of the flight. |
| Jul 28, 2003 | Melba, ID | N171FF | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor rpm. Factors contributing to the accident were the cor…The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor rpm. Factors contributing to the accident were the corn crop, and the pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid obstacles. |
| Jul 25, 2003 | Marblemount, WA | N500HS | Incident | substantial |
The partial failure of a magneto during hover taxi over water, leading to a forced landing in shallow water near the shoreline. Factors include the ai…The partial failure of a magneto during hover taxi over water, leading to a forced landing in shallow water near the shoreline. Factors include the aircraft being over a lake at the time that the partial loss of power made it impossible to keep it airborne. |
| Jul 24, 2003 | Snohomish, WA | N53KF | Incident | substantial |
The dual students failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the go-around from a simulated autorotational flare, and the instructor pilot'…The dual students failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the go-around from a simulated autorotational flare, and the instructor pilot's failure to take adequate remedial action to keep the dual student from allowing the aircraft to impact the terrain. |
| Sep 24, 2002 | Council Bluffs, IA | N1040S | Incident | substantial | The premature fracture of the cyclic/mixture bracket resulting in the inability to conduct a landing flare. |
| Aug 10, 2002 | Covington, WA | N90271 | Incident | substantial | Aircraft control not maintained while hovering. |