# Accident 19990131001159A: Hughes 369D, Las Vegas, NV, January 31, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 31, 1999, 14:45 local time
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Airport: North Las Vegas Air Terminal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Autorot Descent (Rotorcraft)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.2102° N, 115.1200° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2102&lon=-115.1200&mi=10
- Aircraft: N58431, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58431) (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 250C20B
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,440 total, 2,080 in this make and model, 258 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX99TA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99TA088) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990131001159A

## Narrative

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

LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT 1979 HUGHES 369-D HELICOPTER WAS INVOLVED IN AUTO ROTATION PRACTICE WHEN THE MAIN ROTORS STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNKNOWN. (.4)THE SUPERVISOR OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HELICOPTER UNIT REPORTED THAT THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO TOUCHDOWN WHEN, DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE TAIL STINGER CONTACTED THE GROUND.  THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES THEN FLEXED DOWNWARD SEVERING THE TAIL BOOM.

## 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 LAX99TA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99TA088), Jan 31, 1999: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N58431), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly judge the landing flare maneuver during a practice autorotative landing resulting in a hard landing.

## Other reports on N58431 (3)

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

- [Accident 20210226001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210226001709A), Feb 26, 2021: Hughes 369D (N58431), Kaufman, TX, Substantial damage. Helicopter was hoovering in an attempt to engage in a pig shoot on a charity flight. Pilot did not see the powerline behind the trees. Helicopter main blade…
- [Incident 20050808028139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050808028139I), Aug 8, 2005: Hughes 369D (N58431), Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. (-23) On August 8, 2005, at approximately 1115 local time, helicopter N58431 (HU-369-D) damaged the anti-torque rotors during practice auto rotational full…
- [Accident 19800707026379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800707026379A), Jul 7, 1980: Hughes 369D (N58431), Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out on autorotation practice. Made crash landing due to low rotor speed. Cause flame out unknown.

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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