# NTSB ANC92LA178: Hughes 369D, N58315, George Inlet, AK, September 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1992, 09:54 local (17:54 UTC)
- Place: George Inlet, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610584, -131.579986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6106&lon=-131.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA178

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DURING THE TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CALM WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING ALONG A SHORELINE AT APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL, A PASSENGER ASK THE PILOT TO FLY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.  THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD THE OPEN GLASSY WATER. DURING THE TURN THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND IMPACTED THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58315](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58315-1996-10-07), registration cancelled 1996-10-07, S/N 490495D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 490495D
- Airframe hours: 4516
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Temsco Helicopters, Inc., doing business as Temsco Airlines
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: 9C0, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,602 total, 3,263 in this make and model, 5,671 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 12 nm away

## 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 19920925038989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920925038989A), Sep 25, 1992: Hughes 369D, George Inlet, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into glassy water during a turn away from nearby shore. Failed to use shore line reference and notice descent.

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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