# NTSB ANC82DA039: Hughes 369HS, N9239F, Tok, AK, May 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1982, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tok, AK
- Coordinates: 63.180664, -143.100585 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.1807&lon=-143.1006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA039

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - load jettison - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A NON-REVENUE, SLING-LOAD OPERATION ON MT NEUBERER, WHILE DONATING HIS SERVICES TO TOK COMMUNITY TV, INC. HE STATED THAT HE WAS LIFTING THREE EMPTY PROPANE BOTTLES FROM A SNOW FIELD WHEN HE NOTICED THE AUTO RELIGHT LAMP FLASH. HE STATED THAT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE-OUT LIGHT AND HORN ACTIVATED AND THE LOAD MAY HAVE CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD DESPITE HIS AFT CYCLIC CONTROL INPUT. HE STATED THAT HE PUSHED THE ELECTRIC SLING RELEASE SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND DOWN. IT HIT THE GROUND IN A VERTICLE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WHILE HE WAS APPLYING ALMOST FULL AFT CYCLIC. THE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 5800 FT. THE ELECTRIC SLING LOAD LATCH WAS FOUND IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND CHECKED ON A TEST STAND. SEVERAL HUNG STARTS OCCURRED AT 45 TO 50% UNTIL A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE TO INCREASE FUEL FLOW, THEN THE ENGINE OPERATED WELL, BUT ABOUT 5% BELOW MAX POWER. PILOT LACKED FAA APPROVAL, EXT LOAD OPN

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9239F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9239F-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 350723S, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 350723S
- Airframe hours: 239
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Ronald M. & Linda S. Warbelow
- Registered owner: Ronald M. & Linda S. Warbelow
- Departed: C, MT. NEUBERGER, AK
- Destination: C, TANACROSS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 11,300 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,084 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820504013999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820504013999A), May 4, 1982: Hughes 369HS, Tok, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempting helicopter sling load operation claims engine malfunction and load failed to release.

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.

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