# Accident 19960219001929A: Hughes 369D, Deweese, NE, February 19, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 19, 1996, 14:55 local time
- Place: Deweese, NE
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Location: 40.3496° N, 98.1292° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3496&lon=-98.1292&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5141Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5141Y-1997-04-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI96FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA091) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960219001929A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

CRASHED INTO POWER LINE AND STRUCK A TOWER THAT WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED. (.4) THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO PLACE WORKERS AND RIGGING ON TOP OF A TRANSMISSION TOWER. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S THIRD FLIGHT IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY INSTRUCTED THAT LANDING ON THE 'BRIDGE' OF THE TOWER WAS NOT A DESIRED PLACE TO LAND THE HELICOPTER. HE BRIEFED THE WORK CREW INDICATING THAT HE WOULD LET THEM OUT ON THE 'GOATS PEAK' AND NOT LAND ON THE BRIDGE. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN OBSERVED TO TAKEOFF AND PUT ONE WORKER OFF ON THE NORTH 'GOATS PEAK;' HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE OTHER WORKER OFF ON THE SOUTH 'GOATS PEAK' THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO LAND ON THE 'BRIDGE.' AFTER THE WORKER AND RIGGING WERE OFF LOADED, THE HELICOPTER WAS SEEN TO BACK OFF THE 'BRIDGE.' AT THAT TIME THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM WAS SEEN TO STRIKE THE TOWER STRUCTURE AND THEN THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO IMPACT THE TERRAIN. THE WIND WAS ESTIMATED BY WITNESSES (AT THE SURFACE) TO BE FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 15 KNOTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI96FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA091), Feb 19, 1996: Hughes 369D (N5141Y), Dweese, NE, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision, and his lack of total experience in the type of operation. A factor was the crosswind.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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