Hughes 269C accident near Baker City, OR
On November 8, 2007, a Hughes 269C (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Baker City, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 8, 2007
- Place
- Baker City, OR
- Aircraft
- Hughes 269C · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 44.859°N, 117.806°W
- NTSB ID
- 20071121X01829
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 8, 2007, approximately 1245 Pacific standard time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N381MC, impacted the terrain about one and one-half mile north of Baker City Municipal Airport, Baker City, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed in the accident sequence, and the helicopter, which was owned and operated by Baker Aircraft, was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional/proficiency flight, which departed Baker City Municipal Airport about five minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to witnesses, after departing Baker City Municipal Airport, the helicopter turned to the north, climbed to an altitude that was reported to be as low as 100 above ground level (agl) and as high as 800 feet agl. The helicopter then paralleled Interstate Highway 84 as it proceeded to the north. As it approached Chandler Lane (Highway 203), its tail reportedly lowered, it slowed, rotated or turned slightly to the east, and then descended rapidly toward the terrain. Witnesses reported that near the beginning of the descent, the main rotor blades either slowed their rotation significantly or "stopped turning." One witness stated that almost immediately after observing the change in rotation speed of the main rotor blades, "…the helicopter just dropped out of the sky." PERSONNEL INFORMATION The 59-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land (ASEL) rating and an instrument rating for airplanes. His last me
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor rpm while maneuvering.
More accidents in OR
- Cessna T207A, Aug 21, 1986
- Piper PA-28-180, Sep 1, 1984
- Piper PA-28RT-201, Mar 12, 1984
- Piper PA 46-310P, Apr 7, 2017
- Cessna 172, Jun 23, 2012
Browse: Oregon · 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.
