# NTSB ATL01LA070: Hughes 369A, N539, Wadesboro, NC, July 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2001, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Wadesboro, NC - Coordinates: 34.959045, -80.060173 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9590&lon=-80.0602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52644/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. A factor was rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis While on approach the helicopter lost engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot autorotated into a plowed field with tall grass and deep furrows damaging the left skid. The pilot stated that while landing the helicopter it began to nose over and he applied aft cyclic separating the tailboom with the main rotor blades. Examination of the helicopter found that the fuel tanks were void of fuel, and that the fuel quantity probe was stuck indication 50 pounds of fuel remaining. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2001, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369A, N539, registered to Helicopter Associates, Inc., lost engine power and impacted into the ground while on approach to the Anson County Airport in Wadesboro, North Carolina. The helicopter was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the maintenance test flight. The pilot was not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Wadesboro, North Carolina, at 1540. The pilot stated that the engine quit during approach for landing at approximately 100 to 150 feet above ground level. The pilot performed an emergency autorotation into high grass. Upon landing, the helicopter began to nose over. The pilot pulled back on the cyclic and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom. Examination of the helicopter on-scene found that the helicopter had landed in a plowed field with tall grass and deep furrows. The left skid was damaged, and the tail boom was separated. Additionally, the fuel tanks were void of fuel. Examination of the instrument panel found that with the master power switch on, the fuel quantity indicator showed 50 pounds of fuel, and the "low fuel" warning light was not illuminated. Further examination determined that the low fuel warning light did "press to test good," and when the leads were shorted at the fuel quantity transmitter, the light did come on. All other fuel quantity indicator components checked good. It was found that the fuel quantity probe stuck indicating 50 pounds of fuel and prevented the low fuel warning light from operating correctly. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction or component failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N539](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N539-2020-03-06), registration cancelled 2020-03-06, S/N 380383, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369A - Registry model: [Hughes 369A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369a) (registry code 4470503) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C10D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c10d) (registry code 03035, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 38-0383 - Airframe hours: 3346 - Engines: Allison 250-C10D 375 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Milton R. Barnes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 2001, 10 hours before - Departed: AFP, WADESBORO, NC - Destination: WADESBORO, NC - Airport: AFP, Anson County Airport, runway 350, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 4,500 total, 350 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: RDU, 30 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 20010703019859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010703019859A), Jul 3, 2001: Wadesboro, NC, No damage. (-23) While performing a maintenance flight for blade tracking, flying at approximately 100 to 150 ft AGL airspeed 60 knots the engine suddenly quit. Pilot… 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.