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
Jul 09, 2001 Clay, NY N7028V Minor substantial
Failure of the left aft cluster fitting due to a fatigue crack. Factors in the accident were the mechanic's failure to identify the crack at the last…

Failure of the left aft cluster fitting due to a fatigue crack. Factors in the accident were the mechanic's failure to identify the crack at the last annual inspection, and the pilot's failure to identify the crack during the last daily inspection

Jun 25, 2001 Paso Robles, CA N8724F Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during a practice autorotational landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
May 28, 2001 Fairfield, KY N9660F Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during takeoff, and his inadequate reconnoiter of the area prior to takeoff.
Apr 27, 2001 Nacogdoches, TX N9508F Minor substantial the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires during takeoff. Contributory factors were the sunglare and the unmarked wires.
Dec 04, 2000 CARLSBAD, CA N1097N Incident substantial
The CFI's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation. A contributing factor was the stud…

The CFI's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation. A contributing factor was the student's improper in-flight planning/decision.

Sep 27, 2000 LAUREL, MT N9503F Incident substantial Failure to maintain aircraft control during hover operations. Inadequate remedial action by the pilot was a factor.
Sep 24, 2000 BURLINGTON, WA N9355F Minor substantial
Mintenance personnel not following the mandatory service bulletin procedure of not exceeding 0.0005 inch paint thickness on the cylinder flange. Fact…

Mintenance personnel not following the mandatory service bulletin procedure of not exceeding 0.0005 inch paint thickness on the cylinder flange. Factors were the fatigue separation of multiple cylinder hold down bolts resulting in looseness of the cylinder; and the subsequent vibration and fatigue separation of the fuel injector line. An additional factor was the pilot's operation of the rotorcraft outside the height/velocity parameters for a successful autorotation.

Sep 07, 2000 RANCHO MURIETA, CA N50638 Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during cruise, which subsequently led to a wire strike.
Jun 16, 2000 MANSFIELD, NJ N9014N Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to comply with published emergency procedures. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resul…

The pilot's failure to comply with published emergency procedures. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in a take-off with the inadequate amount of fuel for the flight.

Jun 14, 2000 SANTA CLARITA, CA N9692F Incident substantial
Settling with power precipitated by a wind direction change during the approach to land sequence and the check pilot's delayed remedial action to corr…

Settling with power precipitated by a wind direction change during the approach to land sequence and the check pilot's delayed remedial action to correct the event. Factors in the accident were crew resource management coordination concerning flight control authority and unsuitable terrain for landing.

May 03, 2000 ABERDEEN, SD N456EM Incident substantial the ground resonance encountered by the pilot.
May 03, 2000 LOVELAND, CO N1098B Incident substantial The pilot misjudged the run on landing during a full autorotation. Factors were a total loss of power for unknown reasons and soft terrain.
May 01, 2000 RIALTO, CA N5395S Minor substantial
The student's misjudged altitude and failure to maintain rotor rpm while practicing an autorotation, and, the instructor's delayed remedial corrective…

The student's misjudged altitude and failure to maintain rotor rpm while practicing an autorotation, and, the instructor's delayed remedial corrective action and inadequate supervision of the flight.

Mar 27, 2000 DEL RIO, TX N1110N Fatal (2) destroyed
An in-flight loss of control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was…

An in-flight loss of control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the in-flight loss of engine power and rotor rpm.

Mar 08, 2000 TYSFORD, UK GZAPS Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 18, 2000 SHERWOOD, OR N9297F Incident substantial The pilots failure to arrest the helicopter's descent rate during a planned approach to a hover. Factors include uneven terrain.
Dec 18, 1999 BROWNSBORO, TX N575PF Serious (1) substantial The loss of tail rotor effectiveness as a result of tail rotor vortex ring state.
Dec 13, 1999 SALINA, KS N58408 Serious (2) substantial The pilot's failure to follow the published practice autorotation procedures, the improper use of throttle, and the inadequate flare.
Sep 01, 1999 UTICA, NY N58397 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the pilo…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters.

Aug 23, 1999 RUSSELLVILLE, AR N44KH Minor substantial The improper touchdown by the flight instructor.
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.
Jul 15, 1999 HOUSTON, TX N7491F Minor substantial
The hard landing as a result of the flight instructor's failure to attain the proper airspeed before simulating an engine failure, which resulted in t…

The hard landing as a result of the flight instructor's failure to attain the proper airspeed before simulating an engine failure, which resulted in the development of a high sink rate. Factors were the night illumination and the soft ground.

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.

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