Hughes 269A accident near Freer, Texas, July 30, 2003
On July 30, 2003 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Hughes 269A (helicopter), registered N81170, was substantially damaged in an accident near Freer, Texas. It was a public-use 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
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 2003 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Freer, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269A · all 269As on the register
- Registration
- N81170 · no longer on the register · serial 380818
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter lost engine power while maneuvering at approximately 60 feet AGL. The pilot heard a "different sound emitted by the engine" that was "followed by a rapid decrease of engine rpm." The 4,700-hour pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby field, and landed hard. Examination of the engine was conducted at the accident site. Rotational continuity was established throughout the engine. The clutch was engaged, the magnetos fired, and flight control continuity was verified. No anomalies were found on the engine that would have prevented normal operations.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,700 hours in all; 410 in this make and model; 3,996 as pilot in command; 332 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,728.6 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, May 26, 2003; 74.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,238 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KHBV Hebbronville TX at 4:00 pm
- Destination: Freer TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
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.