Hughes 269A accident near Apple Springs, Texas, August 30, 1984
On August 30, 1984 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Hughes 269A (helicopter), registered N48930, was substantially damaged in an accident near Apple Springs, Texas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 2 people had minor injuries. 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
- August 30, 1984 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Apple Springs, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269A · all 269As on the register
- Registration
- N48930 · no longer on the register · serial 1210033
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER DISPENSING A LOAD OF GELLED GASOLINE, TO BURN WINDROWS OF BRUSH, THE PLT LANDED & REFILLED THE CHEMICAL TANK. BEFORE TAKING OFF, HE CHECKED HIS FUEL WITH A DIP STICK & DECIDED THERE WAS ENOUGH REMAINING TO DISPENSE A 2ND LOAD. WHILE FLYING DOWNWIND & DISPENSING AT ABOUT 15 FT OVER A WINDROW, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ON SOFT TERRAIN, THE RIGHT SKID DUG IN & THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE USED TIME AS A MEASUREMENT OF FUEL INSTEAD OF COMPARING IT TO GEL USE. HE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 3 HRS WITHOUT REFUELING.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,905 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 102 in the last 90 days; 1,796 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,575 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 225° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°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.