Hughes 269C N50638

Summary

On 7 September 2000 at about 17:20 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N50638 was involved in an accident near Rancho Murieta, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 September 2000 at 17:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Rancho Murieta, California, United States

Coordinates

38.5093, -121.1198

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N50638

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX00LA328

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during cruise, which subsequently led to a wire strike.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise the helicopter collided with power lines and was destroyed in the postimpact fire. The purpose of the flight was to herd cattle at one of the ranches. The helicopter was discovered when the local fire department was notified of a fire and downed power lines in the vicinity of the accident. Prior to arrival, the local fire department was not aware that there had been an aircraft accident. When they arrived on scene they observed the helicopter in the middle of the fire. In 1993 the pilot was involved in a similar accident. He was herding cattle when the helicopter struck power lines and crashed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.