# NTSB ANC96LA045: McDonnell Douglas H-369, N58268, Delta Junction, AK, April 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 6, 1996, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 63.700698, -144.88977 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7007&lon=-144.8898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2817/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA045 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot noted an unscheduled spool down during cruise flight, and initiated an autorotation. After lowering the collective pitch, he noticed that the engine was still producing power. He applied collective pitch and attempted to climb out. However, the engine again spooled down, and another autorotation was made. Subsequently, the helicopter touched down with forward speed and nosed over. The pilot stated the engine was still running after touchdown, and he performed an engine shutdown. During a subsequent engine test run at Allison, the engine started, accelerated, and decelerated normally. Maximum power output was 4.9 percent below normal. No other discrepancies were found. ## Factual narrative On April 6, 1996, at 1820 Alaska standard time, a skid equipped McDonnell Douglas, H-369 helicopter, N58268, registered to and operated by Tundra Copters, Inc., of Fairbanks, Alaska, experienced an unscheduled engine spool down during cruise flight and was forced to land in trees. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed the Trophy Lodge at Big Delta, Alaska, and the destination was a field site located 30 miles east of Big Delta. A company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries and the helicopter was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on April 8, 1996, he stated that during cruise flight the engine spooled down. He heard the low RPM warning audio but the engine relight activation light did not illuminate. He entered autorotation but did not roll the throttle to the off position. During the autorotation the engine "spooled back up." The pilot applied collective and started to climb out. The engine again spooled down and the pilot attempted to complete the autorotative landing. The pilot stated that during the flare the engine spooled up again and he landed hard with forward velocity. The helicopter nosed over and remained inverted. The engine was still running after the helicopter stopped and the pilot had to shut the engine down. The airframe was examined and the fuel system was pressure checked and found to maintain 8 inches of Hg for 2 minutes. The engine fuel system was pressure checked and found to maintain 8 inches of Hg for 2 minutes. Fuel samples looked clear with no visible debris. The engine was sent to Allison for a test run. Results showed that the engine started normally. Acceleration and deceleration tests were normal. Power output for the engine was rated at 4.9 percent below normal. The airframe fuel cell contained fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58268](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58268-2021-07-31), registration cancelled 2021-07-31, S/N 1280420D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas H-369 - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1280420D - Airframe hours: 2409 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tundra Copters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 6, 1995, 24 hours before - Departed: BIG DELTA, AK - Destination: FIELD SITE, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,580 total, 25 in this make and model, 3,330 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 18 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 80 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg 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.