# Accident 20210226001709A: Hughes 369D, Kaufman, TX, February 26, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 26, 2021, 16:45 local time
- Place: Kaufman, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.5853° N, 96.3078° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5853&lon=-96.3078&mi=10
- Aircraft: N58431, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 250HP (registry code 03002, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250 SER 250HP
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total, 950 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA139) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210226001709A

## Narrative

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

HELICOPTER WAS HOOVERING IN AN ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE IN A PIG SHOOT ON A CHARITY FLIGHT.  PILOT DID NOT SEE THE POWERLINE BEHIND THE TREES.  HELICOPTER MAIN BLADE STRUCK THE POWERLINE CUTTING THE LINE.  THE LOOSE POWERLINE HIT THE TAIL AND EMBEDDED ITSELF IN THE VERTICAL AND STRUCK THE TAIL BLADE.

## 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 CEN21LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA139), Feb 26, 2021: Hughes 369 (N58431), Kaufman, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering.

## Other reports on N58431 (3)

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

- [Incident 20050808028139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050808028139I), Aug 8, 2005: Hughes 369D (N58431), Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. (-23) On August 8, 2005, at approximately 1115 local time, helicopter N58431 (HU-369-D) damaged the anti-torque rotors during practice auto rotational full…
- [Accident 19990131001159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990131001159A), Jan 31, 1999: Hughes 369D (N58431), Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Las Vegas metropolitan police department 1979 Hughes 369-D helicopter was involved in auto rotation practice when the main rotors struck the tail boom. Other…
- [Accident 19800707026379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800707026379A), Jul 7, 1980: Hughes 369D (N58431), Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out on autorotation practice. Made crash landing due to low rotor speed. Cause flame out unknown.

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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