# NTSB ANC91LA146: Hughes 369D, N29JV, Iliamna, AK, September 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1991, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.850959, -154.560424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8510&lon=-154.5604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA146

## Probable cause

WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH AND UNEVEN TUNDRA LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system - foreign object (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE AT 200 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE HELICOPTER CRASHED ON THE TUNDRA.  EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEMS REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29JV-1993-05-06), registration cancelled 1993-05-06, S/N 500715D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D (369-D)
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 500715D
- Airframe hours: 4796
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 133
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: NONE, JOHNSON CREEK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,704 total, 4,215 in this make and model, 13,653 as pilot in command, 251 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19910911039779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910911039779A), Sep 11, 1991: Hughes 369D, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during sling load operations. Low rotor RPM. Made hard landing chopping off the tailboom.

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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