# Accident 20111221029959A: Hughes 369D, Fall Branch, TN, December 21, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 21, 2011, 04:00 local time
- Place: Fall Branch, TN
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: X2RL
- Location: 36.4197° N, 82.5894° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4197&lon=-82.5894&mi=10
- Aircraft: N500TN, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N500TN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B (registry code 54385, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,300 total, 400 in this make and model, 228 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12CA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA119) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111221029959A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT DEPARTED KDKX  (DOWN TOWN ISLAND AIRPORT), KNOXVILLE, TN, ENROUTE TO KTRI (TI-CITIES REGIONAL AIRPORT) ON A COURSE OF 072 DEGREES AT 400 FT AGL AT 65KTS.  THE PILOT WAS FOLLOWING HWY 81 TO TRI-CITIES WHEN  HE MADE CONTACT WITH THE POWERLINE, SEVERING ONE LINE WITH THE #3 MAIN ROTOR BLADE.  (THE REPORTED CEILING WAS 1300FT 10MILE VISIBILITY.)WHEN THE PILOT SPOTTED THE POWERLINES, HE MADE A HARD RIGHT TURN AND RAPIDLY REDUCED THE COLLECTIVE IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE POWERLINES. AFTER CONTACT, THE PILOT MADE A CONTROLLED LANDING IN A MARSHY PASTURE AND SECURED THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 ERA12CA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA119), Dec 21, 2011: Hughes 369D (N500TN), Fall Branch, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to continue a visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a wire strike.

## Other reports on N500TN (1)

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

- [Accident 20160909017019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160909017019A), Sep 9, 2016: Hughes 369D (N500TN), Peach Orchard, MO, Substantial damage. Helicopter was performing part 133 powerline work hovering next to powerlines energized with 161KV. While bonded to one line, another line arced over to 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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