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
Feb 21, 1997 HOOD RIVER, OR N5160N Incident substantial The pilot-in-command's misjudgment of altitude and airspeed during a turn.
Feb 07, 1997 HOMOSASSA, FL N9061R Incident substantial
the unqualified person's poor judgment, by taking the helicopter without the owner's permission and attempting an unauthorized flight at night; and hi…

the unqualified person's poor judgment, by taking the helicopter without the owner's permission and attempting an unauthorized flight at night; and his failure (or inability) to maintain control the helicopter. Darkness was a related factor.

Dec 04, 1996 MAYFIELD, KY N1105P Incident substantial
disengagement of the main transmission aft pinion nut, allowing the tail rotor splined drive sleeve to disengage from the pinion, which resulted in lo…

disengagement of the main transmission aft pinion nut, allowing the tail rotor splined drive sleeve to disengage from the pinion, which resulted in loss of directional control and an emergency (autorotative) landing.

Sep 01, 1996 FRISCO, TX N9558F Incident substantial The pilot's improper touchdown procedure.
Jun 08, 1996 DALLAS, TX N269A Incident substantial
The student pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover while hovering. Factors were the prevailing high winds and the inadequate supervision provided by …

The student pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover while hovering. Factors were the prevailing high winds and the inadequate supervision provided by the flight instructor.

Jun 01, 1996 GEORGETOWN, CA N9332F Incident substantial
loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), while practicing an autorotation, which resulted in a forced landing; and the flight instructor's mis…

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), while practicing an autorotation, which resulted in a forced landing; and the flight instructor's misjudged landing flare during the emergency autorotation/landing.

Mar 10, 1996 GULF SHORES, AL N7480F Incident substantial The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout. A factor was the lack of position reports via radio by the pilot of the helicopter.
Jul 22, 1995 HONESDALE, PA N9483F Incident destroyed Corrosion and subsequent failure of the attaching lugs for the left (4H) shock strut assembly, which resulted in collapse of the landing gear/skid.
Jul 14, 1995 CRETE, NE N88007 Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the runway marker.
Jan 12, 1995 DUMONT, TX N796 Incident destroyed THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO OVERSTRESS FRACTURES OF THE #3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS. THE ORIGIN OF THE FRACTURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Nov 08, 1994 MONTICELLO, AR N10415 Incident substantial THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FATIGUED ROD END BOLT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.
Oct 10, 1994 LIVINGSTON, TX N9616F Incident substantial THE IMPROPER FLARE RESULTING IN AN UNDERSHOOT OF THE INTENDED LANDING AREA. A FACTOR WAS THE BIRD STRIKE.
Aug 05, 1994 PUUNENE, MAUI, HI N8376F Incident substantial
the improper overhaul of the red blade main rotor damper, and the inadequate maintenance condition of the other rotor dampers and the landing gear dam…

the improper overhaul of the red blade main rotor damper, and the inadequate maintenance condition of the other rotor dampers and the landing gear dampers, which led to an uncorrectable ground resonance vibration and a subsequent rollover.

Aug 01, 1994 LEANDER, LA N9062G Incident substantial
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND A FATIGUE FAILURE OF A #1 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD BOLT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT FO…

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND A FATIGUE FAILURE OF A #1 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD BOLT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Oct 12, 1993 COLDWATER, MI N7032U Incident substantial the fatigue failure of the tailboom support strut attachment lug.
Oct 05, 1993 LINVILLE, NC N9333F Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED THAT WOULD HAVE AVOIDED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS (LTE), AND HIS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR TAILWIND …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED THAT WOULD HAVE AVOIDED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS (LTE), AND HIS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR TAILWIND CONDITION. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF INFORMATION IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK REGARDING THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH LTE MAY OCCUR.

Jun 15, 1993 VALLEY CITY, ND N213MS Incident substantial the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application manuever.
May 26, 1993 VAN NUYS, CA N58407 Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain the altitude while maneuvering toward the parking area. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a fa…

the student pilot's failure to maintain the altitude while maneuvering toward the parking area. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a factor in this accident.

Mar 05, 1993 MCMINNVILLE, OR N9474F Incident minor AN INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A TAILWIND, AND GUSTS.
Feb 04, 1993 JACKSONVILLE, FL N711CH Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MONITOR FUEL QUANTITY DUE TO INATTENTIVENESS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTI…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MONITOR FUEL QUANTITY DUE TO INATTENTIVENESS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE FLIGHT CONTROL DURING THE SOFT FIELD AUTOROTATION.

Dec 07, 1992 KAHULUI, HI N9566F Incident destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING DOWNWIND FLIGHT AND ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO RECOVER THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR RPM BEFORE SETTLING…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING DOWNWIND FLIGHT AND ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO RECOVER THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR RPM BEFORE SETTLING INTO THE WATER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

Oct 01, 1992 HILLSBORO, OR N7400F Incident substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE HOVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF …

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE HOVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN ROTORCRAFT AND HIS DIVERSION OF ATTENTION WHILE HOVERING.

Sep 12, 1992 RIALTO, CA N58164 Incident substantial THE PILOT/PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.
Sep 01, 1992 LONG BEACH, MS N9460F Incident substantial
IMPROPER COLLECTIVE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DURING THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINE…

IMPROPER COLLECTIVE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DURING THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Aug 14, 1992 CORONA, CA N9297F Incident substantial
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT; AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPRO…

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT; AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER USE OF THE TAIL ROTOR PEDALS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

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