Hughes 269C accident near Rosehayn, New Jersey, April 11, 1989
On April 11, 1989 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Hughes 269C (helicopter), registered N1093Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rosehayn, New Jersey. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED TOUCHDOWN AND ROLLOVER OF THE HELICOPTER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 1989 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Rosehayn, New Jersey
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N1093Y · registry record · serial 311045
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT 1,000 FT THE HELICOPTER DEVELOPED A LOW POWER SITUATION AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. AN INSPECTION AND ENGINE RUN UP BY THE FAA FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY ENGINE DISCREPANCIES. COINCIDENTLY, THE PLT HAD BEEN A STUDENT AT THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL WHERE THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING THE LANDING. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER AT TREE TOP LEVEL WITH A LOW FORWARD SPEED. THEY AGAIN OBSERVED IT AT AN ALT OF 3 FT AGL WHEN IT MADE A 'VIOLENT 45 DEGREE ROLL TO THE RIGHT' DURING WHICH THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK 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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 79 hours in all; 67 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 55 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,133 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 29, 1989; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Horsham PA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: A1Y Atlantic City NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°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 N1093Y 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.