# Accident 20050806016959A: Hughes 369HS, Albuquerque, NM, August 6, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 6, 2005, 00:45 local time
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Pwr On Vertical Ldng/Rtrcrft
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.1906° N, 104.6825° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1906&lon=-104.6825&mi=10
- Aircraft: N500SD, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500SD-2007-01-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 369HS (registry code 4470728, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 400HP (registry code 03013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN05TA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05TA119) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050806016959A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON AUGUST 6, 2005, AT 0045 MDT, A HUGHES HU-369-HS, N500SD, REGISTERED TO BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE REAR OF A RESIDENCE AT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AFTER THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY A BULLET WHILE ON A 400' HOVER IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA OF THE CITY. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED; BOTH THE PILOT AND OBSERVER WERE USING NIGHT VISION GOGGLES (NVG). THE FLIGHT WAS COORDINATED BY ALBUQUERQUE APPROACH CONTROL. DURING THE LANDING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK A FENCE AND TREE. ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL SECTION OF THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED AND THE COMMERCIAL RATED PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE OBSERVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (ABQ) 2 HOURS EARLIER.

## 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 DEN05TA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05TA119), Aug 6, 2005: Hughes 369HS (N500SD), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: the bullet(s), which severed the helicopter's left tail rotor pedal. Contributing factors were the severed anti-torque pedal and the unsuitable terrain for landing.

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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