# Accident 20070705019599A: Hughes 369D, Comfrey, MN, July 5, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 5, 2007, 08:00 local time
- Place: Comfrey, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: KMRG
- Location: 44.1472° N, 94.7333° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1472&lon=-94.7333&mi=10
- Aircraft: N500NC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N500NC) (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
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI07LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA193) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070705019599A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT REPORTED LOSING POWER DURING SPRAY RUN. N2 WAS OBSERVED BELOW MINIMUM RED LINE. MINIMAL ALTITUDE WAS OBTAINED, CHOSE TO TURN AWAY FROM POWER LINES AND OUT OF THE TALL CORN TO A CLEAR AREA IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND ATTEMPTED AUTO-ROTATION. LANDED HARD BREAKING THE SKID STRUTS. AIRCRAFT PITCHED FORWARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND AND TAIL BOOM, SEVERING THE TAIL BOOM. FOUND LOOSE PNEUMATIC LINE TO THE FUEL CONTROL DURING ON SCENE INVESTIGATION.

## 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 CHI07LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA193), Jul 5, 2007: Hughes 369D (N500NC), Comfrey, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the loose pressure line during aerial application maneuvers which resulted in a hard forced landing.

## Other reports on N500NC (2)

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

- [Incident 19830114002539I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830114002539I), Jan 14, 1983: Hughes 369D (N500NC), Newark Valley, NY. Low fuel light on. Power lost. Made safe landing. Fuel flow transmitter was replaced. Fuel level sensor inaccurate.
- [Accident 19800829040009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800829040009A), Aug 29, 1980: Hughes 369D (N500NC), Manistee, MI, Substantial damage. Passenger mislaid purse which jammed controls causing crash during 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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