Hughes OH 6A accident near Preston, Georgia, January 8, 2020
On January 8, 2020 at about 6:39 pm local time, a 1969 Hughes OH 6A (helicopter), registered N6186U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Preston, Georgia. It was an aerial observation flight under public-use (government) rules. 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 8, 2020 · about 6:39 pm local time
- Place
- Preston, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes OH 6A No Series, built 1969 · all OH 6As on the register
- Registration
- N6186U · no longer on the register · serial 69-16048
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the flight to observe feral swine invading farm fields, the pilot noted a loss of engine power and rotor rpm. He maneuvered the helicopter away from trees for an autorotation to an open, plowed cornfield. During the landing on rough terrain, the helicopter nosed forward and the main rotor blades contacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter. A postaccident examination of the flight controls, drive train, fuel system, main rotor system, and tail rotor system did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or anomaly. The engine was removed and placed on a test stand; it ran normally for about 2 minutes before the run was concluded. A laboratory test of a fuel sample was unremarkable. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,175 hours in all; 8,229 in this make and model; 93 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 10,047 as pilot in command; 450 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 31, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,987 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 10, 2019; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 7,541 hours total
- Operator: US Dept Of Agriculture
The flight
- Departed from: Preston GA at 5:40 pm
- Destination: ABY Albany GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.43 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KCSG, 39 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on March 4, 2022. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Written Statement - Mechanic | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement - Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Rolls Royce Engine Investigation Report | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Fuel Test Results | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 18 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.