# Accident 20000424006749A: Hughes 369HS, Salina, KS, April 24, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 24, 2000, 17:30 local time
- Place: Salina, KS
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.8094° N, 97.6099° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8094&lon=-97.6099&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9177F, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9177F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 369HS (registry code 4470728, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI00LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA121) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000424006749A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WHILE HERDING A BUFFALO, PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING A DOWNWIND TURN AT LOW SPEED AND ALTITUDE. PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE HELI AS IT WAS SPINNING. THE HELI STRUCK THE GROUND TRAVELING SIDEWAYS WITH THE LEFT SKID HITTING FIRST AND DEPARTING THE A/C. THE HELI CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FEET FROM THE LEFT SKID ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE. THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT SHOWED SIGNS OF ROTATION WHEN IT WAS BROKEN OFF. ONE BROKEN OFF TRAIL ROTOR BLADE WAS FOUND ABOUT 50 FEET FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. PITCH CHANGE AND CONTROL LINKAGE SEEMED NORMAL AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION. IT APPEARS THAT MR. GULKER EXPERIENCED AN UNANTICIPATED RIGHT YAW AS EXPLAINED IN FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR 90-95 AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL.

## 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 CHI00LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA121), Apr 24, 2000: Hughes 500C (N9177F), Salina, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of tail rotor effectiveness and the autorotation performed by the pilot. The unfavorable wind was a contributing factor.

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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