# Accident 19981208032939A: Hughes 369D, Queets, WA, December 8, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 8, 1998, 11:55 local time
- Place: Queets, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: GHHL
- Location: 47.3093° N, 124.2207° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3093&lon=-124.2207&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1096L, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1096L-2014-11-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 250HP (registry code 03002, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 22,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA99FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA018) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981208032939A

## Narrative

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

HUGHES 369D HELICOPTER WAS LIFTING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OF SHINGLES WHEN IT FLEW INTO A TREE AND CRASHED. (.19) ON DECEMBER 8, 1998, ABOUT 1145 PACIFIC STANDARD TIME, A HUGHES 369D, N1096L, REGISTERED TO AND OPERATED BY EAGLE AIR HELICOPTERS AS A 14 CFR PART 133 EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION, EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, INITIATED A FORCED LANDING FIVE MILES NORTH OF TAHOLA, WASHINGTON. DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND ROLLED OVER. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF AN ELT ACTUATING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM THE FORKS AIRPORT (S18) APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AND 45 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. A WITNESS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE SPOOLING DOWN. THE WITNESS ALSO REPORTED SEEING SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES.

## 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 SEA99FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA018), Dec 8, 1998: Hughes 369D (N1096L), Taholah, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Turbine wheel failure as the result of a low-cycle fatigue crack that initiated in a beyond-limits grinding gouge. Factors include improper maintenance by unknown parties and tree stumps that…

## Other reports on N1096L (3)

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

- [Accident 19980810020269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980810020269A), Aug 10, 1998: Hughes 369D (N1096L), Darrington, WA, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed when the tail rotor failed while performing logging operation. (-23) see attached. No narrative attached. (.19) on August 10, 1998,…
- [Incident 19841113076319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841113076319I), Nov 13, 1984: Hughes 369D (N1096L), Humtulips, WA, Destroyed. Sling rope broke and hook became entangled in main rotor. Rope wrapped around and severed tail boom.
- [Accident 19820519017419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820519017419A), May 19, 1982: Hughes 369D (N1096L), Birkenfeld, OR, Substantial damage. Low fuel light flickered. Began landing for fuel. Engine quit. Struck hillside. No usable fuel in tank.

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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