Hughes 269B accident near Ozark, Alabama, September 22, 2016
On September 22, 2016 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1965 Hughes 269B (helicopter), registered N269BS, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ozark, Alabama. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful postaccident engine run on the accident helicopter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2016 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ozark, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269B, built 1965 · all 269Bs on the register
- Registration
- N269BS · no longer on the register · serial 65-0205
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor stated that the helicopter was in cruise flight at 75 mph and 800 ft mean sea level when he announced "simulated engine failure" and reduced the throttle and collective. The student pilot responded to the simulated emergency by establishing an autorotation and cross-checking the instruments, which were all "normal" or "in the green." During recovery of the maneuver at 100 ft above ground level, the instructor noted the engine rpm was "zero," announced an actual engine failure, joined the student pilot on the flight controls, and completed the autorotation to the ground. At touchdown, the helicopter bounced on the right front skid and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter was recovered to the operator's facility, where an engine start was attempted on the airframe using the helicopter's battery and starter. The engine started immediately and ran smoothly without interruption until manually shut down.
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
What happened, in order
- Simulated/training event during enroute (cruise)
- Autorotation Attempted remediation/recovery
- Autorotation Loss of engine power (total) defining event
- Hard landing during landing
- Roll over during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,154 hours in all; 160 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 35 hours in all; 35 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,749 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-A1A (piston); 1,146 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 71J Ozark AL at 9:00 pm
- Destination: 71J Ozark AL
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KHEY, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 12, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Instructor's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Student's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.