# NTSB ATL83LA103: Hughes 369HS, N3280K, Paducah, KY, February 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1983, 13:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.07027, -88.630554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0703&lon=-88.6306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - warning system(other) - engaged (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN AUTOROTATION INTO AN OPEN FIELD AFTER A CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CHIP LIGHT IS USED FOR DETECTING METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX. EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION REVEALED METAL PARTICLES ON THE PLUG WHICH WERE FROM THE TRIPLEX BEARING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATION AND SUSTAINING FLT ACCORDING TO THE FAA EXAMINER. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT WAS EMPTY OF FUEL WHEN EXAMINED ATTHE SCENE. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT FUEL EXHAUSTION THE PLT SAID HE DRAINED THE FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT IN PREPARATION FOR MOVING IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3280K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS (369 HS)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 990 122S
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-18A 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: R & R Helicopter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FTY, MARRIETTA, GA
- Destination: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Airport: PAH, Barkley Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,107 total, 402 in this make and model, 5,912 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19830215004039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830215004039A), Feb 15, 1983: Hughes 369HS, Paducah, KY, Substantial damage. Chip detector light came on. Crash landed from a precautionary autorotation landing. Metal present but not critical

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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