# Accident 20180822012109A: Hughes 369D, Ridgway, PA, August 22, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 22, 2018, 12:26 local time
- Place: Ridgway, PA
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: 1RTL
- Location: 41.4011° N, 78.5614° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4011&lon=-78.5614&mi=10
- Aircraft: N89ZC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89ZC-2021-09-04) (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-ROYCE 250-C20B
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,356 total, 1,715 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180822012109A

## Narrative

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

PILOT AND GENERAL MANAGER WERE SURVEYING POWER LINES FOR STORM DAMAGE FOR FIRST ENERGY POWER COMPANY. WHILE OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 FEET AGL BETWEEN TWO MICROWAVE TOWERS, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED COPPER WIRES RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE YELLOW, BLUE, AND RED BLADES.  PILOT MADE A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LANDING WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.  PILOT STATED THAT THE COPPER WIRES HAD CORRODED GREEN AND BLENDED IN WITH THE LEAVES ON THE TREES MAKING THEM IMPERCEPTIBLE.

## 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 GAA18CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506), Aug 22, 2018: Hughes 369 (N89ZC), Ridgeway, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.

## Other reports on N89ZC (2)

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

- [Accident 20190305000909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190305000909A), Mar 5, 2019: Hughes 369D (N89ZC), Talking Rock, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was in work profile, carrying an approximately 30 foot long remote powered saw blade. Traveling in an eastern direction, details reviled saw blade…
- [Accident 20140729012839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140729012839A), Jul 29, 2014: Hughes 369D (N89ZC), West Liberty, OH, Substantial damage. Description of event and comments with recommendation(s) (1) Description of event. July 29, 2014; pilot was conducting vegetation cutting activities using a…

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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