# Accident 20220317001229A: Hughes 500D, Adair, IA, March 17, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 17, 2022, 14:30 local time
- Place: Adair, IA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: IZWL
- Location: 41.5323° N, 94.6695° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5323&lon=-94.6695&mi=10
- Aircraft: N500MZ, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500MZ-2023-12-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 500D (registry code 4470806, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-500d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Reported engine: ROLLS ROYCE C20R/2
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 5,715 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN22LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA146) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220317001229A

## Narrative

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

DURING FLIGHT OPERATIONS HELICOPTER ENGINE ENTERED A LOW POWER SETTING. PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED.

## 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 CEN22LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA146), Mar 17, 2022: Hughes 369 (N500MZ), Adair, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The mechanic’s failure to properly torque a fuel control unit B-nut, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, an attempted autorotation, and an impact with terrain.

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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