# Accident 20030407005609A: Hughes 369D, Queets, WA, April 7, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 7, 2003, 09:05 local time
- Place: Queets, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Location: 47.4528° N, 124.2764° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4528&lon=-124.2764&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5225C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5225C-2017-02-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA058) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030407005609A

## Narrative

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

(-23) MD 396D HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING A HARD LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE ENGAGED IN CEDAR BLOCK LIFT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 133 OPERATIONS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT INITIALLY, HE EXPERIENCED A POWER SURGE AND THEN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. HE RELEASED THE EXTERNAL LOAD AND TRANSITIONED INTO AN AUTOROTATIONAL DESCENT. DURING THE DESCENT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED TREES AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE LEFT SKID. THE PILOT REPORTED APPROXIMATELY 120 POUNDS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. (SEE ATTACHED SHEET).

## 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 SEA03LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA058), Apr 7, 2003: Hughes 369D (N5225C), Taholah, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The entanglement of the fuel quantity sender float in the start pump wiring within the fuel tank as a result of the wiring not being properly secured. This rendered the fuel gauge inaccurate and the…

## Other reports on N5225C (2)

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

- [Accident 20140722015959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140722015959A), Jul 22, 2014: Hughes 369D (N5225C), Oso, WA, Substantial damage. On July 22, 2014, N5225C, Hughes 369D, sustained substantial damage and the pilot was seriously injured, when the helicopter main rotor blade separated in…
- [Accident 19961116045399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961116045399A), Nov 16, 1996: Hughes 369D (N5225C), Forks, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on external load ops. Landed in trees. Engine fuel nozzle collapsed due fuel contamination.

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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