Mcdonnell Douglas 269C accident near Frankfort, Illinois, November 28, 1988
On November 28, 1988 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas 269C (helicopter), registered N1098P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Frankfort, Illinois. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 1988 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Frankfort, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas 269C
- Registration
- N1098P · no longer on the register · serial 700923
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A TREE STRIKE WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND THEN ROLLED OVER WHEN IT STRUCK THE GROUND DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ATTEMPT. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN CONDUCTING CONTRACT POWER LINE PATROL WHEN THE PIC NOTED AN APPARENT PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING A LOW ALTITUDE, LOW AIRSPEED TURN. THE PIC HAD NOTED ENGINE RPM BETWEEN 2500-2600 WITH NO NEEDLE SPLIT WHEN HE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT THE LANDING. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY AFTERWARD.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 610 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 55 in the last 30 days; 800 as pilot in command; 55 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,953 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 30, 1988
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HI0-360-D1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Eagle Air Helicopters
The flight
- Departed from: IKK Kankakee IL at 9:20 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 20,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.