Hughes 269C accident near Rancho Murieta, CA
On September 7, 2000, a Hughes 269C (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Rancho Murieta, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 7, 2000
- Place
- Rancho Murieta, CA
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269C · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.509°N, 121.120°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X22004
NTSB summary
On September 7, 2000, at 1020 hours Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N50638, collided with power lines and then impacted the ground in a pasture near Rancho Murrieta, California. The helicopter, owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed in the collision sequence and postimpact fire. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private strip about 0900 to herd cattle at one of the ranch sites. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, about 1028, the local fire department was notified of a fire and downed power lines in the vicinity of the accident. They did not know that there had been an aircraft accident. When they arrived on-scene they observed the helicopter in the middle of the fire. The FAA further reported that in January 1993, the pilot was involved in a similar accident where he was rounding up a herd of cattle on his property. The helicopter struck power lines, and crashed. WITNESS INFORMATION A deputy from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department interviewed the spouse of the pilot. She stated that about 0900 she went for a run while her husband departed in his helicopter to herd cattle at the "Boys Ranch." She expected him home about noon. When she returned to the house about 0930, an individual at the residence told her that there was smoke on the hill. She attempted to call the pilot on his cell phone several times, but received no answer. At that po
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout during cruise, which subsequently led to a wire strike.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Hughes aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
