# Accident 20100108026549A: Hughes 369D, Pierce, ID, January 8, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 8, 2010, 12:30 local time
- Place: Pierce, ID
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: QOFA
- Location: 46.7208° N, 115.0858° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7208&lon=-115.0858&mi=10
- Aircraft: N500LW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500LW-2020-10-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C20
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 18,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR10GA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10GA102) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100108026549A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTING A PUBLIC USE FLIGHT FOR THE IDAHO FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT DOING GAME IDENTIFICATION AND TAGGING OPERATIONS, AND HAD TWO PAX ON BOARD.  WHILE MANUVERING THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY THE LOW RPM WARNING. PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION. WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND ON THE FROZEN RIVER THE TAILBOOM HIT THE SIDE OF A BRIDGE AND SEVERED.  AIRCRAFT HIT HARD ON THE ICE, THE LEFT SKID BUCKLED AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT.  ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED ICE.  AIRCRAFT SETTLED ON LEFT SIDE, BLADES STOPPED TURNING AND PASSENGERS EXITED AIRCRAFT.  PILOT WAS PINNED UNDER AIRCRAFT AND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED REQUIRING EVACUATION TO HOSIPTAL IN MISSOULA, MONTANA.DUE TO MELTING ICE OF RIVER THE AIRCRAFT WAS EVACUATED THE NEXT DAY TO A SECURE FACILITY.INSPECTION BY NTSB, FAA, AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS SHOWED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED NO ANOMALIES OTHER THAN IMPACT DAMAGE.  THE ENGINE INSPECTION REVEALED LARGE QUANTITIES OF METAL ON BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER GEARBOX CHIP DETECTORS.  THE EXTERNAL OIL FILTER ALSO CONTAINED LARGE AMOUNTS OF METAL CHIPS.  THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO THE ROLLS ROYCE FACILITY FOR FURTHER INSPECTION.

## 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 WPR10GA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10GA102), Jan 8, 2010: Hughes 369D (N500LW), Kooskia, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: A complete loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 bearing, which was precipitated by electrical arcing that occurred at an unknown time prior to the accident flight.

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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