# Accident 19970216001659A: Hughes 369D, Santee, CA, February 16, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 16, 1997, 19:44 local time
- Place: Santee, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.7905° N, 116.9607° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7905&lon=-116.9607&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5200Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5200Y-2017-05-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 1,095 total, 950 in this make and model, 188 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX97GA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA105) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970216001659A

## Narrative

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

(.4)THE SHERIFF'S PILOT AND QUALIFIED OBSERVER ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM A HOVER AT A REMOTE CANYON IN NIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE CREW WAS USING THE HELICOPTER'S SEARCH LIGHT WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 15 MINUTES AND THE PILOT'S EYES WERE NOT DARK ADAPTED.  THE SEARCHLIGHT WAS TURNED OFF BY THE OBSERVER DURING THE TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED.  THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED VERTICALLY, STRUCK THE GROUND, AND BOUNCED OVER 100 FEET REARWARD.  THE PUBLIC-USE AGENCY'S TRAINING PROGRAM DID NOT PROVIDE FOR NIGHT RECURRENT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE TRAINING, RECURRENT NIGHT PHYSIOLOGY TRAINING, OR CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR NIGHT FLIGHT.

## 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 LAX97GA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA105), Feb 17, 1997: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N5200Y), Santee, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Spatial disorientation and temporary visual impairment that led to a loss of aircraft control as result of difficulty to light adaptivity. Contributing was the crew coordination and inadequate night…

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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