Hughes 269C accident near Wenatchee, Washington, July 12, 2011
On July 12, 2011 at about 4:05 pm local time, a Hughes 269C (helicopter), registered N3623Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Wenatchee, Washington. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling into trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2011 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Wenatchee, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269C · all 269Cs on the register
- Registration
- N3623Z · no longer on the register · serial S1166
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during a low altitude and slow airspeed flight to dry cherry trees, the engine lost power, and the helicopter subsequently settled into the trees. However, when the helicopter came to rest, the engine was still operating, and he had shut it down. During postaccident examination of the engine and airframe, no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation of the engine or flight controls. It is likely that the pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude and experienced a settling with power event.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Settling with power/vortex ring state during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 810 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 650 as pilot in command; 200 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 9, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,600 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,550 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Applebee Aviation Inc
The flight
- Departed from: EAT Wenatchee WA at 3:45 pm
- Destination: EAT Wenatchee WA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from EAT, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.