# Accident 20160408008779A: Hughes 369A, Weatherford, TX, April 8, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 8, 2016, 11:00 local time
- Place: Weatherford, TX
- Airport: Staggs
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.7714° N, 97.7394° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7714&lon=-97.7394&mi=10
- Aircraft: N298SD, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N298SD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 369A (registry code 4470503, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C10D (registry code 03035, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c10d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369A
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C10D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA16LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA182) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160408008779A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOCKED THE TAIL ROTOR PEDDLES ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN HE HOOKED UP THE BATTERY FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE.  HE FORGOT TO UNHOOK THE PEDDLES.  DURING THE MAINTENANCE RUNUP, THE PILOT WENT INTO A HOVER.  THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO A SPIN THAT WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE DUE TO THE LOCKED TAIL ROTOR PEDDLES.

IN ANALYZING THE DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER AND THE STRUCTURES THE HELICOPTER CAME INTO CONTACT WITH, IT APPEARS THE HELICOPTER WAS MOVING AFT AND TO THE LEFT WHEN IT STRUCK THE HOUSE.  IT ALSO APPEARS THE HELICOPTER FELL DOWNWARD WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE, CAUSING SERIOUS SPINE AND OTHER INTERNAL INJURIES TO THE PILOT.

## 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 GAA16LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA182), Apr 8, 2016: Hughes 369 (N298SD), Weatherford, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/mechanic's inadequate postmaintenance and preflight inspections, which resulted in his failure to remove the antitorque pedal lock and a subsequent loss of control during hover operations.

## Other reports on N298SD (1)

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

- [Accident 20090530016499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090530016499A), May 30, 2009: Hughes 369A (N298SD), Baltimore, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) During a practice 180 degree autorotation to a power-off touchdown, the aircraft overshot the final approach course to the 2500 foot mown grass private…

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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