# Accident 20030331005699A: Hughes 369D, Tyonek, AK, March 31, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 31, 2003, 09:30 local time
- Place: Tyonek, AK
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: EOOA
- Location: 61.0167° N, 151.4489° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0167&lon=-151.4489&mi=10
- Aircraft: N90431 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA038) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030331005699A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT DROPPED OFF PASSENGER IN LZ, THEN REPOSITIONED THE AIRCRAFT. THE LZ HAD HIGH BRUSH AND WAS A TIGHT AREA FOR BLADE CLEARANCE. THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE SAME LZ TO RETRIEVE THE PASSENGER. AFTER THE PASSENGER BOARDED THE PILOT LOOKED AROUND TO CLEAR HIS TAKE OFF AND DID NOT NOTICE THAT A GEOPHONE CABLE LAID OVER THE LEFT SKID TUBE. AS HE TOOK OFF HE FELT A SLIGHT JERK AND HEARD A SOUND. HE LANDED IN A LARGER AREA AND SHUT DOWN. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CABLE HAD BROKEN THE MIRROR ATTACHED TO THE SKID AND IT FLEW INTO ONE BLADE, THEN WAS THRUST REARWARD INTO THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH.

## 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 ANC03LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA038), Mar 31, 2003: Hughes 369D (N90431), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while lifting into a hover to ensure the helicopter was clear of all objects, which resulted in separation of an external mirror that then struck and damaged a…

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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