# NTSB ANC83LA076: Hughes 500D, N58229, Cantwell, AK, April 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1983, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Coordinates: 63.009735, -149.399414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0097&lon=-149.3994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND DURING A HOVERING TURN FOR LANDING AND ROLLED THE HELICOPTER OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT HAD MADE AN APPROACH FOR LANDING TO A 10 FOOT HOVER AND THEN LOST SIGHT OF HIS REFERENCE POINT IN FRESH SNOW PICKED UP BY THE ROTOR SYSTEM. HE TURNED THE ACFT TO GET A NEW REFERENCE POINT. DURING THE TURN, HE STATED THAT HE LOST ALTITUDE AND NOTICED THE ACFT MOVING SIDEWAYS AND REARWARD. THEN BEFORE HE COULD CORRECT IN TIME, HE FELT THE RIGHT SKID MAKE CONTACT WITH SOMETHING AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58229](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58229-1984-03-12), registration cancelled 1984-03-12, S/N 480292D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 480292D
- Airframe hours: 512
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: International Air Transport
- Registered owner: Gatx Second Acft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CANTWELL
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,329 total, 940 in this make and model, 7,877 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830429016849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830429016849A), Apr 29, 1983: Hughes 369D, Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Blowing snow from rotor wash caused a whiteout while hovering. A skid hit the snow,caused a dynamic rollover.

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.

---
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.