# Accident 20260122000529A: Hughes 369D, North Augusta, SC, January 22, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 22, 2026, 16:01 local time
- Place: North Augusta, SC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: BHGL
- Location: 33.6265° N, 81.9294° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6265&lon=-81.9294&mi=10
- Aircraft: N105AC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N105AC) (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-ROYC 250-C20B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 6,438 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA097) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260122000529A

## Narrative

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

WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL TREE TRIMMING, THE PILOT RECEIVED A CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT. STARTED BACK TOWARD THE LANDING ZONE WHEN THE TORQUE STARTED TO DECAY AND ENGINE TEMPS STARTED TO CLIMB. PILOT JETTISONED THE SAW RIG AND LOOKED FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO LAND.  DURING THE AUTO ROTATION THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GET THE HELICOPTER TO A MORE LEVEL LANDING AREA, THEN ATTEMPTED A RUN ON LANDING TO CLEAR THE KNOLL. THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND.THE AIRCRFT LURGED FORWARD AND THEN BACK CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO CUT THE TAIL BOOM OFF.

## 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 ERA26LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA097), Jan 22, 2026: Hughes 369 (N105AC), North Augusta, SC, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

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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