# Fatal NTSB investigations: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR26FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA141.md): Hughes 369D · Haena, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Mar 27, 2026 · N715KV · Substantial damage > On March 26, 2026, about 1539 Hawaii standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N715KV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Haena, Hawaii. The pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, and three passengers were fatally… - [NTSB WPR26FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA054.md): Hughes 369D · Pryor, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 5, 2025 · N161LA · Substantial damage > On December 5, 2025, about 0858 central standard time, a Hughes 369D, N161LA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pryor, Oklahoma. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal… - [NTSB ERA25FA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA344.md): Hughes 369D · Jim Thorpe, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 11, 2025 · N5072F · Destroyed > On September 11, 2025, about 1402 eastern daylight time, a Hughes (McDonnell Douglas) 369D helicopter, N5072F, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot and line technician were fatally injured. The… - [NTSB CEN25FA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA307.md): Hughes 369D · West Alton, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 7, 2025 · N173AL · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter clearance from the powerline during the powerline maintenance operation for reasons that could not be determined. - [NTSB CEN21LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA102.md): Hughes 369D · Tuckers Crossing, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 29, 2020 · N103SU · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control when the external saw contacted trees during an attempted emergency landing due to a main rotor transmission oil pressure warning. The reason that the pilot did not release the external saw from the helicopter during the… - [NTSB ERA19FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA118.md): Hughes 369 · Talking Rock, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 5, 2019 · N89ZC · Substantial damage > A fatigue failure of the overrunning clutch subassembly due to abnormal bending loads due to cracks on the center engine mount, which resulted in an inflight loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter's low altitude and airspeed when the… - [NTSB CEN19FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA020.md): Hughes 369 · McDougal, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Nov 2, 2018 · N5187S · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain the helicopter's clearance from the powerline structure while hovering in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. - [NTSB WPR18FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA188.md): Hughes 369 · Majuro · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2018 · N8648F · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the surface of the ocean. - [NTSB WPR18FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA074.md): Hughes 369D · Pomeroy, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2018 · N369TH · Substantial damage > A loss of control following the gunner's failure to ensure that the net maintained clearance from the tail rotor. - [NTSB WPR17FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA021.md): Hughes 369 · Pukoo, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2016 · N81GG · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions at night in rain, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ERA15FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA178.md): Hughes 369D · Cherokee, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2015 · N555JC · Substantial damage > The pilot's spatial disorientation during a low-level river crossing in rainy, gray, reduced visibility meteorological conditions, which resulted in the helicopter's subsequent descent and impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's… - [NTSB CEN13FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA075.md): Hughes 369 · Childress, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2012 · N28MP · Substantial damage > The improper maintenance of the helicopter fuel system that resulted in erroneous fuel gauge indications and the pilot’s inadequate fuel management, both of which resulted in fuel exhaustion during a long-line hover. Also causal was the lack of company… - [NTSB ERA13LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA057.md): Hughes 369D · Corning, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2012 · N369AW · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate altitude while conducting a power line aerial observation flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of total experience in the type of operation. - [NTSB ERA09FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA414.md): Hughes 369 · Franklin, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2009 · N61735 · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's fuel mismanagement. - [NTSB LAX08FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA233.md): Hughes 369D · Price, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2008 · N400BE · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight performance planning for the takeoff and the loading that exceeded the lift performance capability of the helicopter. - [NTSB LAX07LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA270.md): Hughes 369D · Ellensburg, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2007 · N31HM · No damage > The passenger's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor disc while the helicopter was hovering. An uphill terrain condition was a factor - [NTSB SEA07LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA135.md): Hughes 369D · Columbus, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2007 · N765HV · Destroyed > The fatigue failure of a turbine blade due to a localized over-temperature of the turbine section as result of a non-uniform fuel distribution by the fuel nozzle. Contributing to the accident was the close proximity of a power line support structure which… - [NTSB LAX06LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA288.md): Hughes 369D · Somis, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2006 · N812CE · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with wires. - [NTSB IAD00WA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00WA004.md): Hughes 369D · Cologne, Germany · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 7, 1999 · N1096C · Destroyed - [NTSB SEA98LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA128.md): Hughes 369D · Raymond, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1998 · N5063G · No damage > The use of the improper long-line cable by the ground crew, and its subsequent separation from the helicopter. - [NTSB LAX98LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA079.md): Hughes 369D · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 1998 · N521ZZ · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind condition and failure to maintain a proper rate of descent which resulted in the inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a downwind turn. - [NTSB LAX97LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA176.md): Hughes 369D · Puako, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 11, 1997 · N5105N · Destroyed > erosion of second stage stator vanes, inadequate maintenance inspection for the erosion, and subsequent fatigue failure of a stator vane, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing on mountainous/hilly terrain. Also causal was: the pilot's… - [NTSB LAX97GA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA105.md): McDonnell Douglas 369D · Santee, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Feb 17, 1997 · N5200Y · Substantial damage > Spatial disorientation and temporary visual impairment that led to a loss of aircraft control as result of difficulty to light adaptivity. Contributing was the crew coordination and inadequate night flight recurrency training. - [NTSB CHI96FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA091.md): Hughes 369D · Dweese, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 1996 · N5141Y · Destroyed > the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision, and his lack of total experience in the type of operation. A factor was the crosswind. - [NTSB LAX96FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA076.md): Hughes 369D · Feather Falls, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1995 · N8395F · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to jettison his external load after it came in contact with trees and terrain. The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance above trees and hilly terrain was a related factor. - [NTSB LAX95GA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95GA264.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Hauula, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Jul 21, 1995 · N1090S · Destroyed > the pilot's poor judgement by intentionally flying into adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain with an external load and no observer which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Factors were pressure from the conditions/events and a lack of total… - [NTSB LAX94FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94FA197.md): Hughes 369D · Hanapepe, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1994 · N1103N · Destroyed > Inadequate turbine engine compressor cleaning procedures based on information in the manufacturer's service letter, and loss of engine power due to blockage of the fuel nozzle strainer with foreign material (sodium). Factors related to the accident were: the… - [NTSB LAX94LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA041.md): Hughes 369D · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 1993 · N5172K · Destroyed > An undetermined event that resulted in the accident. - [NTSB LAX93LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA261.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Half Moon Bay, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1993 · N277SP · Destroyed > the pilots failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the light tower and associated electrical power cables. Factors in the accident were; 1) pilot fatigue due to an excessively long duty day, and 2) glare from the lights which affected the pilot's… - [NTSB LAX93LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA057.md): Hughes 369B · Fallbrook, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1992 · N5035F · Destroyed > That the pilot misjudged the distance of the high tension wires from the helicopter. - [NTSB ANC92FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA164.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Eagle, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1992 · N1096X · Destroyed > An inflight fatigue failure and separation of a main rotor blade, inadequate operator maintenance and inspection, and material defect. - [NTSB LAX92GA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92GA347.md): Hughes 369D · Maxwell, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Aug 12, 1992 · N58425 · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate visual outlook, and failure of the company to provide adequate training. Contributing to the accident was: inadequate company supervision during the operation, and inadequate surveillance by the FAA which… - [NTSB BFO92FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA022.md): Hughes 369D · Edison, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 1992 · N8674F · Destroyed > The blockage of the fuel nozzle which resulted in partial loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM. - [NTSB LAX91LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA054.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Haleakla Nat Pk, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1990 · N1113L · Substantial damage > Fuel starvation due to the unporting of the fuel supply pick-up. - [NTSB SEA90LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA081.md): Hughes 369D · Kelso, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 1990 · N8306F · No damage > Failure of the pilot to keep the external load clear of obstacles (trees). Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot and ground crewman to follow safety procedures, and the proximity of the trees. - [NTSB LAX90LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA033.md): McDonnell Douglas 369 · Barstow, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 1989 · N1097G · Destroyed > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his delay in jettisoning the load. - [NTSB SEA90FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA005.md): Hughes 369D · Bothell, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1989 · N8613F · Destroyed > The pilot failed to determine weather conditions before the flight, his attempt to fly VFR in IMC, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance altitude. Factors in the accident were the low ceiling, rain and fog weather conditions. - [NTSB SEA87FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA162.md): Hughes 369D · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 1987 · N58318 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > N58318 (Hughes 369, under contract with us geological survey) was inbnd fm se to lnd at Ketchikan-temsco heliport (6Z4) as N73WS (Cessna 185 amphibian) was depg se fm Ketchikan intl arpt (ktn). Ktn & 6Z4 were located in tongass narrows withmtns NE & sw. Rprtd… - [NTSB LAX87LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA199.md): Hughes 369D · Tamunings · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 1987 · N10995 · Destroyed > A Hughes 369D, operated off of a fishing vessel, went out of control and crashed in the pacific ocean, nr guam. The accident was witnessed by the ship's captain. His statement indicated one of the main rotor blades separated in flt while the helo was orbiting… - [NTSB LAX87FA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA112.md): Hughes 369D · Honolulu, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 1987 · N1102U · Destroyed > Drg tkof clb, a loud noise occurred as 1 of 5 main rotors (mrb's) & the tail boom sepd fm the helicopter (hel). The hel then crashed & hit a submerged reef aprx 200' fm the heliport. An exam of the failed mrb showed its retention strap assy(rsa), pn… - [NTSB SEA85FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA104.md): Hughes 369D · Spokane, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 5, 1985 · N8365F · Destroyed > The helicopter was on a flt to a tv station to transport a tv camera man & his gear. The regular plt for this trip was unable to fly, so another was retained for the flt. This was his 1st flt to the station. Helicopter operations at the tv station were… - [NTSB LAX85FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA136.md): Hughes 369D · Hilo, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 1985 · N369LA · Substantial damage > A search was initiated when the helicopter did not arrive. It was fnd 2 days later where it crashed drg an autorotation in a rain forest. Drg the flare/touchdown, vegetation had caught on a tundra pad on the l skid & the acft rolled over. An exam revealed the… - [NTSB MIA85FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA012.md): Hughes 369D · St.Thomas · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 1984 · N8631F · Destroyed > The acft was flying at 50 feet above the water at 15 knots airspeed photographing a sail boat. The acft then climbed to 150 feet and drifted left over the top of the boat. At this point witnesses reported hearing a loud pop and seeing a puff of black smoke… - [NTSB LAX84FA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA405.md): Hughes 369D · Mesa, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 18, 1984 · N58369 · Destroyed > The helicopter experienced a main rotor drive system disconnect, an uncontrolled descent & subsequent inflight collision with terrain in a hilly desert area. This was the third & last in a planned series of marketing demo flts conducted for three USMC… - [NTSB LAX81FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA017.md): Hughes 369D · Kaaawa, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 19, 1980 · N58243 · Destroyed - [NTSB CHI79DA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DA039.md): Hughes 369D · Pekin, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Apr 2, 1979 · N8629F · Substantial damage - [NTSB FTW79FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA059.md): Hughes 369D · Angleton, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 9, 1979 · N58333 · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX79FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA020.md): Hughes 500DH · Mecca, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Dec 27, 1978 · N501DH · Destroyed - [NTSB SEA78FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA040.md): Hughes 369D · New Meadows, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jun 29, 1978 · N8380F · Destroyed ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('4470706')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=4470706 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.