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
Jun 19, 1996	ELDON, WA	N7400F	Fatal (1)	destroyed	fatigue failure of the connecting rod cap, which resulted in loss of engine power and ditching at sea.
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.
Apr 23, 1996	SAN DIEGO, CA	N9579F	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the decision of the pilot to fly at low altitude and low airspeed within a hazardous performance area published in the pilot operating handbook. Fact… the decision of the pilot to fly at low altitude and low airspeed within a hazardous performance area published in the pilot operating handbook. Factors in the accident were tailwinds, lack of operator preventative maintenance impairing engine power, airworthiness of the restraint systems, and the pilot's use of prescription drugs that can impair human performance.
Apr 19, 1996	LINDEN, NJ	N8084E	Serious (1)	destroyed	improper flare by the pilot, and his failure to take proper corrective action after the helicopter touched down hard and entered ground resonance.
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.
Feb 17, 1996	DALLAS, TX	N8897F	Serious (1)	substantial	Failure of the unqualified helicopter pilot to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors relating to the accident were: his lack of total experienc… Failure of the unqualified helicopter pilot to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors relating to the accident were: his lack of total experience in helicopters and his improper decision to attempt to hover without appropriate training/endorsement for flight in the helicopter.
Jul 27, 1995	REDLANDS, CA	N747MK	Minor	substantial	The company's maintenance personnel improper servicing of the landing skid actuators.
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.
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.
May 10, 1995	LAMONT, WA	N7443F	Serious (1)	substantial	UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND AN INADEQUATE AUTOROTATION.
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.
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.
Nov 02, 1994	GARDEN CITY, KS	N9294F	Incident	substantial	inadvertant engagement of the rotor drive system, while the helicopter had been left unattended by the pilot.
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.
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.
May 14, 1994	ARIPEKA, FL	N5002J	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 02, 1994	MERCED, CA	N9593F	Minor	substantial	the pilot's misjudgement of the descent rate and his delayed throttle application.
Jan 16, 1994	ATLANTA, GA	N8994F	Serious (1)	substantial	The inadvertent closing of the fuel shutoff valve by the pilot. A factor in the accident was the failure of the pilot to maintain rotor RPM during the… The inadvertent closing of the fuel shutoff valve by the pilot. A factor in the accident was the failure of the pilot to maintain rotor RPM during the autorotation.
Oct 12, 1993	COLDWATER, MI	N7032U	Incident	substantial	the fatigue failure of the tailboom support strut attachment lug.

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.

← Hughes 269 For Sale All Hughes Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Hughes 269 Safety Record

Report an Issue