# NTSB ANC82DA062: Hughes 369D, N820Y, Near Bornite, AK, July 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1982
- Place: Near Bornite, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA062

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - vertical takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

TWO WORKERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO A MINE DRILLING SITE WHERE THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED ON A MAN-MADE HELI-PAD. THE HELI-PAD WAS AN AREA ABOUT 50 FT LONG AND 12 FT WIDE THAT HAD BEEN CUT INTO THE SIDE OF A ROCKY HILL. AFTER OFF-LOADING THE WORKERS, THE PILOT TOOK OFF, THEN RETURNED A SHORT TIME LATER WITH A 300 GAL STORAGE TANK ON A LONG LINE. AFTER THE TANK WAS LOWERED INTO POSITION, THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED AT THE END OF THE PAD UNTIL THE LINE WAS RELEASED. AS THE PILOT TOOK OFF AGAIN, HE LIFTED OFF AND WAS AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 3 TO 5 FT WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE ROCKY EMBANKMENT ON THE UPSLOPE SIDE OF THE HELI-PAD. REPORTEDLY. THE HELICOPTER THEN WENT INTO AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPIN AND TUMBLED ABOUT 300 FT DOWN THE HILL. ONE OF THE WORKERS WAS FATALLY INJURED BY A PIECE OF FLYING DEBRIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N820Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N820Y-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 900797D, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes 500D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-500d) (registry code 4470806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 900797D
- Airframe hours: 906
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Sunshine Copters
- Registered owner: Sunshine Copters
- Departed: NEAR BORNITE, AK
- Destination: NEAR BORNITE, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: (Remote Field Site)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,851 total, 247 in this make and model, 247 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19820728035729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820728035729A), Jul 28, 1982: Hughes 369D, Bornite, AK, Destroyed. Helicopter rotor blade hit rocky embankment on upslope side of takeoff zone.

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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