# Accident 20241105021069A: Hughes 369D, Waycross, GA, November 5, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 5, 2024, 12:22 local time
- Place: Waycross, GA
- Airport: Waycross - Ware County
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: SJKL
- Location: 31.2484° N, 82.3954° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2484&lon=-82.3954&mi=10
- Aircraft: N11AS, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11AS-2025-01-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 400HP (registry code 03013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250 SER 400HP
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,900 total, 400 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA25LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA040) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241105021069A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING TREE TRIMMING OPERATIONS ON A POWER LINE RIGHT OF WAY UTILIZING A 10 BLADED AERIAL SAW THAT SLUNG BELOW THE HELICOPTER. DURING THE CUTTING, A SAW BLADE SNAGGED A STEEL BRAIDED LOGGING CABLE THAT WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE LOWER SAW BLADES. A SECTION OF THE CABLE BROKE OFF AND STRUCK THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY DAMAGING THE STABILIZERS AND TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL BELLCRANK MOUNTING FLANGE RESULTING IN A RAPID UNCONTROLLED YAW. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED TREES AND CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE IMPACT RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME AND ROTOR BLADES.  CONTINUITY OF THE TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL AND DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED. THERE WERE NO PRE ACCIDENT MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION.

## 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 ERA25LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA040), Nov 5, 2024: Hughes 369D (N11AS), Waycross, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

## Other reports on N11AS (1)

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

- [Accident 20070424008609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070424008609A), Apr 24, 2007: Hughes 369D (N11AS), Tabor City, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was enroute from its home location to the columbus county airport (cpc) for external load training. The aircraft was carrying a "long line" and…

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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