# Incident 20180429022289I: Hughes 369D, Newark, OH, April 29, 2018

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 29, 2018, 11:35 local time
- Place: Newark, OH
- Airport: Newark Heath
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Location: 40.1300° N, 82.2900° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1300&lon=-82.2900&mi=10
- Aircraft: N175JL, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N175JL) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 4,540 total, 3,760 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA249) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180429022289I

## Narrative

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

ON 4/29/2018, AT APPROXIMATELY 11 :35 AM, PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC} AND LINEMAN (SEATED TO THE PILOT'S LEFT ON WORK PLATFORM) DEPARTED THE LANDING ZONE, LOCATED AT COORDINATES N40.14, W82.31. THE CREW TRAVELED EASTBOUND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE POWER LINES FOR 3/4 MILE, CROSSED OVER A STRUCTURE AND TURNED BACK WEST TO BEGIN WORK.

THE PIC DESCENDED TO THE OUTSIDE PHASE AND THEN MOVED THE AIRCRAFT LATERALLY TOWARD THE LINE. DURING THE APPROACH, THE LINEMAN BONDED ONTO THE WIRE AND BEGAN INSTALLING A NEW SPACER BETWEEN THE 4-BUNDLE CONDUCTOR. AS THE LINEMAN WAS WORKING TO COMPRESS AND LOCK THE UPPER INBOARD SPACER CONNECTOR, THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER CLOSER TO BETTER POSITION THE LINEMAN.

DURING REPOSITIONING, THE PIC HEARD A NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION FROM THE TAIL SECTION. UPON REALIZING THE TAIL ROTOR MADE CONTACT WITH THE CONDUCTOR, THE PILOT COMMUNICATED WITH THE LINEMAN TO READY AND UNBOND FROM THE CONDUCTOR. THE PIC THEN MOVED AWAY FROM THE WIRE AND FELT NO ABNORMALITY OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION BACK TO THE LANDING ZONE WITH NO FURTHER EVENT. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN SHUT DOWN ACCORDING TO PROCEDURE.

DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE MECHANIC FOUND THE LAST 4 INCHES ON BOTH TAIL ROTOR BLADES DENTED AND SCUFFED. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

THE COLUMBUS FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL 05/04/2018 WHICH WAS PROVIDED BY NTSB PERSONNEL.

## 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 GAA18CA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA249), Apr 29, 2018: Hughes 369 (N175JL), Newark, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission power wires, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.

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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