Hughes 269C accident near East Bernstadt, Kentucky, September 25, 1992
On September 25, 1992 at about 4:10 pm local time, a Hughes 269C (helicopter), registered N9609F, was destroyed in an accident near East Bernstadt, Kentucky. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION INVOLVING FAILURE TO DETECT WEAR OF THE CLUTCH SPRING ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN THE UNCOUPLING OF ENGINE POWER TO THE MAIN TRANSMISSION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 1992 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- East Bernstadt, Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N9609F · no longer on the register · serial 700017
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A LOW ALTITUDE POWERLINE PATROL WHEN IT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH UPSLOPING TERRAIN. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CLUTCH SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED, INVOLVING THE ASSEMBLY RETAINER END WHICH SEPARATED. THE RETAINER WALL WAS SEVERELY WORN WHERE THE SEPARATION OCCURRED. THE ASSEMBLY FUNCTIONS TO ENGAGE THE BELT DRIVE SYSTEM WHICH IN TURNS TRANSMITS ENGINE POWER TO THE MAIN TRANSMISSION. THE HELICOPTER HAD OVER 11,000 HOUR OF TOTAL TIME. THE LAST INSPECTION OF THE ASSEMBLY WAS ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER, DURING A 100 HOUR INSPECTION. A REVIEW OF MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED NO PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,386 hours in all; 252 in the last 90 days; 98 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,072 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, September 15, 1992; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360D1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: Winchester KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 pm from LOZ, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.