# NTSB ANC91LA060: Hughes 500-D, N5314D, Togiak, AK, May 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1991, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Togiak, AK
- Coordinates: 59.209491, -160.540924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2095&lon=-160.5409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA060

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE CARGO PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Cargo shift, cruise
  - security of cargo - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - movement restricted
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, A SECURING ROPE CAME LOOSE AND WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL. DURING THE AUTOROTATION, GROUND CONTACT WAS MADE IN A LEVEL ALTITUDE, BUT THE HARD LANDING CAUSED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO SEVER THE TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5314D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500-D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 500716D
- Airframe hours: 5517
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1991, 36 hours before
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 98 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °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 19910522016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910522016809A), May 22, 1991: Hughes 369D, Togiak, AK, Substantial damage. Fishing boat tied under helicopter. Rope came loose and fouled tail rotor pc links. Landed hard on tundra.

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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