Hughes 269A accident near Manassas, Virginia, June 29, 1991
On June 29, 1991 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Hughes 269A (helicopter), registered N48323, was substantially damaged in an accident near Manassas, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER SETTLING WITH POWER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1991 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Manassas, Virginia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269A · all 269As on the register
- Registration
- N48323 · no longer on the register · serial 580887
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXECUTED A STEEP DESCENDING TURN TO APPROXIMATELY 150 AGL, TO OVERFLY THE PASSENGER'S HOUSE. SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING AT 150 FEET, WITH 'SLOW FORWARD AIRSPEED,' THE HELICOPTER MADE A 'SUDDEN QUICK TURN TO THE RIGHT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN...,' DESCENDING INTO TREES. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALM. ACCORDING TO THE HEIGHT VELOCITY DIAGRAM FOR THE HUGHES 269A, OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER AT 150 FEET AND ZERO TO 52 KNOTS OF INDICATED AIRSPEED SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
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; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,575 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-B1H (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Dse INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from IAD, 10 miles away
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.