# 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 4 of 6 · 272 cases ## Cases, newest first - [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 LAX93LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA044.md): Hughes 369D · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1992 · N220AL · Substantial damage > Failure of the overrunning clutch assembly bearing for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB MIA93WA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93WA068.md): Hughes 369D · Buenos Aires, Argentina · Accident · Minor injuries · Foreign investigation · Oct 29, 1992 · N10887 · Substantial damage - [NTSB ANC92LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA178.md): Hughes 369D · George Inlet, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1992 · N58315 · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper in flight planning and decision and his failure to maintain altitude during the turn to reverse direction. Contributing to the accident was the calm water. - [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 ANC92FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA159.md): Hughes 369D · Nunavaugaluk Lk, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1992 · N8697F · Substantial damage > The separation of the tail rotor abrasion strip and the subsequent total loss of the tail rotor. Factors contributing to the accident were: insufficient manufacturer's maintenance design changes, inadequate aircraft equipment design by the manufacturer and… - [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 ANC92LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA090.md): McDonnell Douglas MD-500D · Polk Inlet, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 1992 · N8395F · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to follow proper procedure and the company's inadequate procedures and directives. A factor was the uneven terrain. - [NTSB LAX92T#A03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92T%23A03.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Feb 14, 1992 · N911FT · Substantial damage - [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 CHI92LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA017.md): Mcdonnell Douglas MD369D · Beech Grove, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1991 · N88SE · Substantial damage > Improper installation of the flight control linkage during maintenance. Complacency and inadequate inspection of the helicopter by maintenance personnel and the pilot are factors in the accident. - [NTSB ANC91LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA146.md): Hughes 369D · Iliamna, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 1991 · N29JV · Substantial damage > Was fuel exhaustion due to the pilot-in-command's improper preflight planning. Contributing to the accident was the rough and uneven tundra landing site. - [NTSB LAX91LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA289.md): Hughes 369D · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 1991 · N18KJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in flight decision to fly in the below VFR weather conditions and his misjudged weather evaluation. - [NTSB MIA91TL#04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91TL%2304.md): Hughes 369D · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 2, 1991 · N25MP · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX91T#A09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91T%23A09.md): Hughes 369 · Hilo, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · May 28, 1991 · N8386F · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX91LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA058.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Keanae, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1990 · N58240 · Substantial damage > Fuel starvation caused by a loose fuel line 'b' nut, due to improper maintenance; and the failure of the pilot to correctly judge the landing flare during the autorotation. - [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 SEA91LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA023.md): Hughes 369D · Mulina, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1990 · N1106Z · Substantial damage > In-flight collision with a rebounding long-line, which caused main-rotor RPM decay and tail-boom separation, compromising the pilot's ability to successfully accomplish an attempted autorotation. - [NTSB ANC91FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA001.md): Hughes 500D · Kennsington, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1990 · N1107G · Substantial damage > The loss of control during takeoff due to dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's selection of an uneven landing area. - [NTSB LAX90LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA303.md): Hughes 369D · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 1990 · N5012A · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to exit the helicopter with the engine running and no one at the controls. - [NTSB SEA90LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA135.md): Hughes 369D · Toutle, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1990 · N58239 · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper planning/decision by operating and maneuvering the heliocpter in a regime where he could not maintain rotor RPM. The high density altitude and rough terrain were related factors. - [NTSB LAX90FA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA230.md): Hughes 369D · Hanapepe, HI · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 1990 · N8605F · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > Failure of pilot of the photographing helicopter to maintain clearance and avoid collision. - [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 SEA90LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA023.md): Hughes 369D · Stayton, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 1989 · N446TN · Substantial damage > The maintenance personnel failed to record the previous flight time for the overrunning clutch on airworthiness certification documents when the assembly was overhauled. Also, causal to the accident was the operation of the aircraft by the operator for 175… - [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 SEA90LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA010.md): Hughes 369D · Neah Bay, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1989 · N9163F · Substantial damage > Fatigue failure of all four attachment studs of the tailrotor gearbox resulting in separation of the gear box, and inadequate maintenance inspection. - [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 SEA89LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA170.md): Hughes 369D · Petersburg, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1989 · N1088N · Substantial damage > The pilot failed to obtain clearance over trees. Contributing to the accident was: the aircraft being above its maximum certificated gross weight limitation and the trees. - [NTSB BFO89LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA055.md): Hughes 500D · Williamson, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 1989 · N51516 · Substantial damage > Pilot's failure to see and avoid the wire which crossed the end of the field in which he was taking off. - [NTSB LAX89LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA141.md): Hughes 369D · Vallejo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 1989 · N5108E · Substantial damage > Fatigue failure of a defective pc tube assembly resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain. - [NTSB ANC88LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA086.md): Hughes 369D · Kitoi Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1988 · N1089D · Substantial damage > The helicopter landed with the left skid against a survey stake which protruded from the ground about 6 inches. Upon liftoff the skid did not clear the metal stake before the helicopter started moving laterally to the left. The left skid remained against the… - [NTSB MIA88LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA198.md): Hughes 369D · Horn Lake, MS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 1988 · N1109P · Substantial damage > Bfr tkof, the helicopter was svcd with 100LL fuel (an approved altn fuel if the boost pump is used in flt). Drg flt, theeng lost pwr. An autorotation was made in tall vegetation, but drg the lndg, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. An inspn of the… - [NTSB LAX88LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA179.md): McDonnell Douglas 369D · Waialua, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 1988 · N4943T · Destroyed > Failure to follow procedures established by the manufacture for uncommanded trim inputs and his decision to make a hover approach to landing. - [NTSB NYC88LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA083.md): Hughes 369D · Waterfall, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 1988 · N5093Y · Destroyed > Shortly after takeoff, the pilot heard a loud 'boom' and experienced a loss of tail rotor control accompanied by an increase in N2 and RPM. A radio transmission was made to the aircraft that was trailing and then an approach for landing set up. On landing,… - [NTSB LAX88LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA095.md): Hughes 369D · Rialto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 1988 · N8366F · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX88LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA043.md): Hughes 369D · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1987 · N1113L · Substantial damage > The plt rprtd that during an external load operation, the helicopter ran out of fuel. Subsequently, it was damaged when it touched down hard during a forced landing. - [NTSB LAX88LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA025.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1987 · N47861 · Substantial damage > The pilot and three passengers were flying at low altitude over mountainous terrain looking for big horn sheep. Thirty minutes into the flight the pilot heard a loud noise and the tail yawed left. The pilot turned away from the mountain to look for a place to… - [NTSB SEA87FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA194.md): Hughes 369D · Seattle, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 1987 · N8613F · Substantial damage > The plt rprtd that while he was in cruise flight at about 1000', the eng lost power. He initiated an autorotation to an athletic field in a city park. Drg his apch, he changed his planned touchdown point svrl times due to personnel on the field. He said that… - [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 SEA87LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA074.md): Hughes 369D · Forks, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 3, 1987 · N8356F · Destroyed > During external load operation the aircraft's engine ceased operating. The helicopter was too close to the ground for recovery. The helicopter descended, struck the ground hard and then rolled over onto its right side. Water in the fuel was discovered after… - [NTSB LAX87LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA140.md): Hughes 269D · Palmdale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 10, 1987 · N1103V · Substantial damage > During an external load operation, the engine lost power. The aircraft collided with the terrain and rolled over. Inspection of the engine revealed an overtemperature to the first and second stage turbine wheel airfoils. - [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 LAX87LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA099.md): Hughes 369D · Lemon Cove, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 1987 · N1107N · Substantial damage > The plt rprtd that while at 100 to 150 ft AGL on an apch to land, the eng lost pwr as though it had flamed out. He entered an autorotation, but was unable to reach the helipad. Subsequently, the helicopter landed in trees & was badly dmgd. Drg the… - [NTSB BFO87DHD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DHD02.md): Hughes 369D · Newark, DE · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Nov 25, 1986 · N8670F · Substantial damage > The acft was being flown on a maintenance check flt. As the plt was returning to land, the eng lost power from fuel exhaustion. During an autorotative landing, the main rotor blades & tail boom were extensively damaged. The plt rprtd the fuel quantity gage… - [NTSB SEA87LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA025.md): Hughes 369D · Winlock, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1986 · N1089D · Substantial damage > The plt was loading xmas trees from a farm to a truck. He had just released a load and was en route back to the pickup area when the empty long-line sling contacted treetops. The sling rebounded into the tail rotor & damaged the gear box which resulted in… - [NTSB SEA87LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA007.md): Hughes 500-D · Seattle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 1986 · N58239 · Substantial damage > During a practice autorotation a loss of power occurred. The pilot attempted engine recovery but was unable to resulting in a hard landing in which the main rotor blade flexed, severing the tail boom. The throttle linkage on the pilots side was found to have… - [NTSB FTW86LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA041.md): Hughes 369D · New Boston, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 1986 · N58420 · Substantial damage > The pilot experienced a tail rotor drive shaft flexible coupling failure when he pulled collective pitch to come to a hover before landing. The helicopter entered an uncontrollable right spin. During his haste to get the helicopter on the ground the pilot… - [NTSB LAX86LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA043.md): Hughes 369D · Kunia, Oahu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1985 · N58395 · Substantial damage > While cruising the plt detected a loss of engine power & elected to make a precautionary landing. During landing flare engine power was lost & the acft touched down hard & with excessive ground speed. Exam of the acft's fuel control valve governor failed to… - [NTSB LAX85LA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA403.md): Hughes 369D · Porterville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1985 · N29707 · Destroyed > After climbing to a cruise alt of 13500 ft MSL to cross the sierra Nevada mountains, south of mt whitney, the plt entered cruise flt at an indicated airspeed of aprx 120 to 130 KTS. The plt's flt manual lists 110 KTS as the velocity velocity to never exceed… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=4470706&page=5 ## 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&page=4 --- 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.