# 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.

Page 1 of 6 · 272 cases

## 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 ERA26LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA097.md): Hughes 369 · North Augusta, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Jan 22, 2026 · N105AC · Substantial damage
  > On January 22, 2026, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Hughes 369D, N105AC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near North Augusta, South Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [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 ERA25LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA040.md): Hughes 369D · Waycross, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 5, 2024 · N11AS · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA358.md): Hughes 369 · Canton, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2024 · N8969F · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.
- [NTSB ERA24LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA215.md): Hughes 369 · Crestview, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 10, 2024 · N969VS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and the main rotor blades contacting the tail boom.
- [NTSB ERA24LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA148.md): Hughes 369D · Belleville, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 18, 2024 · N102SU · Substantial damage
  > The ingestion of foreign object debris into the engine, which resulted in a sudden loss of engine power and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain during the forced landing.
- [NTSB ANC24LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA016.md): Hughes 369D · Hana, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 20, 2024 · N690WA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to ensure the passenger’s gear was properly secured before departure.
- [NTSB ERA23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA326.md): Hughes 369 · Elberon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2023 · N353AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.
- [NTSB CEN23LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA308.md): Hughes 369D · Atchison, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2023 · N533DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB ERA23LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA293.md): Hughes 369D · Waldorf, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2023 · N5027P · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue failure of the overrunning clutch outer race and a subsequent inflight loss of power due to abnormal bending loads as a result of improper reassembly of the clutch subassembly following maintenance and the presence of microcracks on the clutch’s outer…
- [NTSB WPR23LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA063.md): Hughes 369D · La Sal, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2022 · N458HW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a toe-in landing to sloping terrain which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB ERA22LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA117.md): Hughes 369D · Bel Air, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 9, 2022 · N9159F · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to bearing failures in the turbine section resulting from a fatigue fracture of the oil supply line that fed oil to the Nos. 6 and 7 bearings. The oil line failure led to rapid deterioration of the bearings from oil starvation.…
- [NTSB WPR22LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA078.md): Hughes 369D · Strawberry, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2021 · N111AD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a static wire during approach.
- [NTSB CEN21LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA165.md): Hughes 369D · Lake City, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 25, 2021 · N41AJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during power line maintenance.
- [NTSB CEN21LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA139.md): Hughes 369 · Kaufman, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 26, 2021 · N58431 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR21LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA084.md): Hughes 369D · Winthrop, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2021 · N8612F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment which resulted in a collision with a snowbank and subsequent loss of control.
- [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 ANC21LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA003.md): Hughes 369 · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2020 · N58251 · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to an obstructed fuel line as a result of the separation of the circlip from the pin used on the fuel start pump. The reason for the circlip separation could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB CEN20CA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA334.md): Hughes 369 · Delia, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 5, 2020 · N104SU · Substantial damage
  > Foreign object damage sustained to the main rotor blades due to aerial tree trimming.
- [NTSB ERA20LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA160.md): Hughes 369 · Pylesville, MD · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 25, 2020 · N9159F · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of unporting of the fuel tank supply pickup while the helicopter was maneuvered to move a conductor wire. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter’s inappropriate configuration for the type of…
- [NTSB WPR19LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA249.md): Hughes 369 · Asotin, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 1, 2019 · N54528 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [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 GAA18CA506](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506.md): Hughes 369 · Ridgeway, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 22, 2018 · N89ZC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB WPR18LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA226.md): Hughes 369 · Riverside, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N105JL · Substantial damage
  > The instructor’s delayed remedial action to an excessive descent rate during a simulated autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR18LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA221.md): Hughes 369 · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2018 · N369MH · Substantial damage
  > The operator's improper installation of the tail rotor (TR) teeter bearings, which resulted in cascading in-flight failures of the TR components and attach hardware.
- [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 GAA18CA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA249.md): Hughes 369 · Newark, OH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 29, 2018 · N175JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission power wires, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
- [NTSB CEN18LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA121.md): Hughes 369D · Blair, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2018 · N499SL · No damage
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and compensate for hazards during the external load operation, which led to a collision between a lineman (external load) and a powerline.
- [NTSB WPR18CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18CA100.md): Hughes 369D · Pacific Ocean, Marshall Islands · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2018 · N501VS · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight mechanical malfunction with the helicopter, which necessitated a ditching in the ocean. The reason for the malfunction could be determined because the helicopter sank and was not recovered.
- [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 ERA18LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA091.md): Hughes 369 · San Juan, PR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 2018 · N571HH · No damage
  > The helicopter pilot's improper decision to use an open-end grapple, instead of an A-frame attachment, to lift and move a ladder with a lineman on it and the lineman's improper decision to be lifted on a ladder via an open-end grapple, which were contrary to…
- [NTSB CEN17LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA314.md): Hughes 369D · Villa Grove, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2017 · N58424 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor clearance from a power line tower during low-level maneuvering.
- [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 GAA16CA480](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA480.md): Hughes 369 · Peach Orchard, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2016 · N500TN · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient separation between the main rotor blade and a power line during line guard installation, which resulted in an electrical arc to the main rotor.
- [NTSB GAA16CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA168.md): Hughes 369 · Jamestown, ND · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 26, 2016 · N721RP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive descent rate while flaring during a practice autorotation with a power recovery, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR16LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA032.md): Hughes 369D · Carlisle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2015 · N50713 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the improper calibration of the fuel quantity gauge.
- [NTSB WPR16LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA021.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Sedro-Woolley, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2015 · N510PA · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of naphthenate fuel contamination, which blocked the fuel flow through the start pump.
- [NTSB ERA16LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA030.md): Hughes 369D · Marion, SC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2015 · N920JP · Substantial damage
  > A momentary jam in the tail rotor control system from an undetermined source, resulting in a torsional fracture of the tail rotor control torque tube and a loss of helicopter control.
- [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 WPR14CA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA363.md): Hughes 369D · Willows, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 2, 2014 · N516PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately secure cargo (a jacket), which resulted in the jacket exiting the cabin compartment and colliding with the tail rotor during cruise flight.
- [NTSB CEN14LA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA398.md): Hughes 369D · West Liberty, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2014 · N89ZC · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power, which resulted from fuel exhaustion due to the pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the fuel quantity during the flight.
- [NTSB WPR14LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA308.md): Mdhi 369D · Oso, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2014 · N5225C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/mechanic’s failure to properly perform required inspections of the main rotor blades at the necessary intervals, which resulted in an in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to disbonding and fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB WPR13CA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA406.md): Hughes 369D · Kalalau, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 12, 2013 · N519PA · Substantial damage
  > The entanglement of a tarp in the helicopter's main rotor from a nearby trash bundle.
- [NTSB ANC13LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13LA074.md): Hughes 500D · Delta Junction, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 6, 2013 · N134SH · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which necessitated an emergency hovering autorotation, during which the helicopter impacted trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ERA13LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA344.md): Hughes 369D · Center Point, WV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2013 · N31HM · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN13CA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA281.md): Hughes 369D · Camdenton, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2013 · N725M · Substantial damage
  > The piece of wood/tree that contacted the main rotor blade during the low altitude tree-trimming flight.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=4470706&page=2

## 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."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?model=4470706

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