# Accident 20070424008609A: Hughes 369D, Tabor City, NC, April 24, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 24, 2007, 08:40 local time
- Place: Tabor City, NC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: SJKL
- Location: 34.1061° N, 78.7025° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1061&lon=-78.7025&mi=10
- Aircraft: N11AS, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11AS-2025-01-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 400HP (registry code 03013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,050 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL07LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA079) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070424008609A

## Narrative

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

(-23) AIRCRAFT WAS ENROUTE FROM ITS HOME LOCATION TO THE COLUMBUS COUNTY AIRPORT (CPC) FOR EXTERNAL LOAD TRAINING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CARRYING A "LONG LINE" AND SPARE TIRE AS AN EXTERNAL LOAD AND CRUISED AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 500 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS AT ABOUT GROUND IDLE DURING THE DESCENT. AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED, AND THE EXTERNAL CABLE WAS RELEASED FROM THE CARGO HOOK. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD WITH FORWARD MOTION. FROM THAT POINT IT APPEARED THAT THE LOW ROTOR SPEED ALLOWED A MAIN ROTOR BLADE TO CONTACT THE TAILBOOM CAUSING THE AFT PORTION TO BE SEVERED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY YAWED TO THE LEFT AND ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE PILOTS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOTS MANUALLY SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE ENGINE WAS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR TEARDOWN INSPECTION AND EVALUATION DUE TO REPORTED POWER LOSS.

## 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 ATL07LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA079), Apr 24, 2007: Hughes 369D (N11AS), Whiteville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to fatigue fracture of the power turbine governor spring, causing a false pneumatic signal to the fuel control and a corresponding reduction in fuel flow.

## Other reports on N11AS (1)

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

- [Accident 20241105021069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241105021069A), Nov 5, 2024: Hughes 369D (N11AS), Waycross, GA, Destroyed. The pilot was conducting tree trimming operations on a power line right of way utilizing a 10 bladed aerial saw that slung below the helicopter. During the…

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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