# Accident 19980709034769A: Hughes 369D, Grays River, WA, July 9, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 9, 1998, 14:20 local time
- Place: Grays River, WA
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Location: 46.6396° N, 123.6298° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6396&lon=-123.6298&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5063G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5063G) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 25,000 total, 15,000 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA98LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA128) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980709034769A

## Narrative

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

MR. REED, WORKING FOR OLYMPIC HELICOPTERS, SUBCONTRACTED TO THE WEYHAEUSER CORPORATION, WAS SLING LOADING CEDAR BLOCKS FROM A LOGGED AREA. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTING A LOAD OF BLOCKS THE EYE SPLICE GAVE WAY AND THE BLOCKS FELL FATALLY INJURING ONE OF THE GROUND CREW.  THE GROUND CREW FAILED TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE LOAD, IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS NO ACTION THE PILOT OR OPERATOR COULD HAVE TAKEN THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT.  IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE EYE SPLICE USED WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED RESULTING IN IT'S FAILURE.  HOWEVER, THE ATTACHING DEVICES USED WERE SUPPLIED BY THE GROUND CREW.  IT IS EXTREMELY REMOTE THAT OLYMPIC AIR OR THE PILOT WOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED THE IMPROPER SPLICE, AS IDENTICAL SPLICES HAVE BEEN USED BY NUMEROUS LOGGING CREWS AND IT WAS ONLY AFTER THIS ACCIDENT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES POINTED OUT THAT THE SPLICES DID NOT CONFORM TO LABOR A ND INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

## 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 SEA98LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA128), Jul 9, 1998: Hughes 369D (N5063G), Raymond, WA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The use of the improper long-line cable by the ground crew, and its subsequent separation from the helicopter.

## Other reports on N5063G (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19840502016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840502016739A), May 2, 1984: Hughes 369D (N5063G), New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Struck tail rotor on the ground during a precautionary landing due to adverse weather. Obscuration fog and drizzle.

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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