# Accident 20090307003959A: Hughes 369D, Inyokern, CA, March 7, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 7, 2009, 10:45 local time
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: X6WL
- Location: 36.2167° N, 117.0839° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2167&lon=-117.0839&mi=10
- Aircraft: N501EF, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N501EF) (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
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 6,800 total, 2,550 in this make and model, 117 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA144) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090307003959A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON 03/07/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 1845Z (1045PDT), THE PILOT OF AIRCRAFT N501EF, A HUGHES 369D, WAS ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM A HIGH ALTITUDE LANDING AT ROGERS PEAK SUMMITT, ELEVATION 9,993 FT.  ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, WITH THREE PERSONS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT ON BOARD, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A "LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS" AND STARTED SPINNING VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT.  THE PILOT DIDN'T APPLY THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION AND CONSEQUENTLY THE AIRCRAFT CRASH LANDED DOWN SLOPE FROM THE INTENDED LANDING SITE.

## 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 WPR09LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA144), Mar 7, 2009: MD Helicopter 369D (N501EF), Trona, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing in a high density altitude environment due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

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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