# NTSB ANC89LA033: Hughes 500-D, N5074R, Bell Mountain, AK, January 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1989, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Bell Mountain, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449001, -149.789642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4490&lon=-149.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF HIS CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN DUE TO DISTORTED VISUAL PERCEPTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WHITEOUT CONDITION.

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A COMPLETE WHITEOUT CONDITION DURING THE APPROACH AND HOVER ON A MOUNTAIN. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5074R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500-D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1151D
- Airframe hours: 3462
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Soloy, L.C., doing business as Soloy Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Soloy Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 10, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: WASILLA, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,400 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 5 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890112000449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890112000449A), Jan 12, 1989: Hughes 369D, Bald Mountain, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to land on glacier in whiteout conditions. One skid touched down. The helicopter entered 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.

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