Hughes 269A N269SS

Summary

On 3 October 1997 at about 20:20 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N269SS was involved in an accident near Campbellsville, Kentucky, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 October 1997 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Campbellsville, Kentucky, United States

Coordinates

37.3395, -85.3403

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N269SS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Colombia

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD98LA002

Nobody was injured.

The pilot refueled the helicopter with jet fuel instead of avgas, which resulted in a loss of engine power. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that about 3 minutes into the flight, the engine began to lose power. An autorotation was performed to a downhill, sloping field. The left skid contacted the ground, followed by the right skid, and the helicopter cartwheeled onto its nose. An examination of the helicopter, and the fuel slip which the pilot signed, revealed that it was refueled with jet A fuel instead of 100 LL Avgas. The pilot had radioed that he wanted a 'quick turn.' Upon his arrival the attendant was waiting by the fuel pumps. The pilot does not recall if the attendant gave him the nozzle, but the pilot refueled the helicopter. He stated that the accident could have been prevented if the markings on the fuel pumps were more visible, and that the nozzles on jet A pumps should not be made to fit Avgas fuel tanks.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.