Hughes 269C accident near Melba, Idaho, July 28, 2003
On July 28, 2003 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Hughes 269C (helicopter), registered N171FF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Melba, Idaho. It was an other work-use 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 pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor rpm. Factors contributing to the accident were the corn crop, and the pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid obstacles.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2003 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Melba, Idaho · 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
- N171FF · registry record · serial S1200
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the pilot was approaching the north end of the field from the south, about 2 feet above the corn stalks at 30 knots, he began a climbing right pedal turn. Approximately 30 to 40 degrees through the turn, the pilot misjudged his distance from wires that bordered the field. The pilot stopped the pedal turn and applied right forward cyclic. As the helicopter began to sink the pilot applied forward cyclic and additional throttle to gain airspeed and to minimize the descent. The pilot then applied aft cyclic and collective to stop the descent, but the helicopter's right skid impacted the corn causing it to veer right before impacting the ground and coming to rest on its left side.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 297 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 180 as pilot in command; 16 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 25, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,754 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 22, 2002; 12.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Silverhawk Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: EUL Caldwell ID at 3:30 pm
- Destination: Melba ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from EUL, 25 miles away
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.
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.