# NTSB ATL82DA231: Hughes 369HS, N4265P, Wrightsville Bc, NC, August 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1982, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Wrightsville Bc, NC
- Coordinates: 34.229621, -77.799591 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2296&lon=-77.7996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73098/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF IN A 10 KT WIND AND STARTED A CLIMB OVER WATER. REPORTEDLY, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AS IT REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FT AGL AND 20 KTS. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO ROTATE UNTIL HE REACHED A LANDFALL, SOME 200 TO 500 FT AWAY. THEN HE MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING INTO A MARSHY AREA. WHILE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER SETTLED ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE TAKEOFF APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSMISSION, MAIN ROTOR, TAIL ROTOR CONTROLS AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. ACCORDING TO PERFORMANCE CHARTS, THE HELICOPTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTROLLABLE FOR EITHER TAKEOFF OR HOVER IN THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS REPORTED TO BE 95 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4265P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4265P-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 1190216S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1190216S
- Airframe hours: 3493
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18A 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: F.C. Price, III
- Registered owner: F.C. Price, III
- Departed: WRIGHTSVILLE BC, NC
- Destination: WRIGHTSVILLE BC, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,600 total, 265 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 203 °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 19820808035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820808035029A), Aug 8, 1982: Hughes 369, Wrightsville Be, NC, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor control on downwind low speed departure. A skid dug in on autorotation landing. Helicopter rolled.

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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