# Accident 20240911014569A: Hughes 369D, Canton, MI, September 11, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 11, 2024, 12:00 local time
- Place: Canton, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: 80PL
- Location: 42.3112° N, 83.4647° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3112&lon=-83.4647&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8969F, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8969F) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 10,700 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA358) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240911014569A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN IN SUPPORT OF POWERLINE MAINTENANCE WORK OPERATING FROM AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ZONE AND CONDUCTING PART 133 CLASS B CARGO DELIVERY. AT APPROXIMATELY 1400 HRS LOCAL TIME, AN INTERMITTENT AND UNUSUAL VIBRATION WAS NOTED IN THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED AT THE LANDING ZONE AND SHUT DOWN FOR INSPECTION. WHILE AWAITING THE COMPANY MECHANIC TO ARRIVE, THE CHIEF PILOT AND PILOT IN COMMAND INSPECTED THE ROTOR SYSTEM AND IMMEDIATELY NOTED A CHORD WISE CRACK NEAR THE ROOT OF THE YELLOW ROTOR BLADE.  THE OPERATOR REPLACED ALL MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND RETURNED THE AIRCRAFT TO SERVICE 09/13/2024.  ON 09/13/2024 THE NTSB WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INITIATED AN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION.  NTSB CONTACTED OPERATOR OF AIRCRAFT AND REQUESTED SUBJECT BLADES BE SENT TO NTSB LAB FOR ANALYSIS.  NTSB RESULTS PENDING.  OPERATOR DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE SUBMITTED NTSB FORM 6120-1 DATED 09/18/2024 TO NTSB.

## 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 CEN24LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA358), Sep 11, 2024: Hughes 369 (N8969F), Canton, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.

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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