Hughes 269C accident near Van Nuys, California, May 26, 1993
On May 26, 1993 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Hughes 269C (helicopter), registered N58407, was substantially damaged in an accident near Van Nuys, California (Van Nuys airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the student pilot's failure to maintain the altitude while maneuvering toward the parking area. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a factor in this accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 1993 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Van Nuys, California · Van Nuys · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N58407 · no longer on the register · serial 1190846
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL AREA SOLO FLIGHT. AFTER PRACTICING SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND APPROACHES THE STUDENT PILOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND EXECUTED AN APPROACH TO A HOVER AT THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY. THE STUDENT PILOT THEN AERIAL TAXIED TO THE DESIGNATED PARKING AREA. WHILE MANEUVERING REARWARD TO LAND IN THE SPOT, THE HEEL OF THE SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER TIPPED BACKWARD STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES ON THE GROUND.
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: student
- Flight time: 53 hours in all; 53 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 35 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,492 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 10, 1993; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Orbic Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N58407 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.