# NTSB ATL84FA218: Hughes 369D, N52934, Franklin, TN, July 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1984, 21:00 local (Jul 10, 1984, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, TN
- Coordinates: 35.880413, -86.949745 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8804&lon=-86.9497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - improper (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD & ROLLED OVER DURING AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION LNDG AFTER THE ACFT ENG EXPERIENCED A FLAME-OUT. THEACFT HAD EXPERIENCED A LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT EARLIER IN THE FLT AND THE PLT HAD MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG AFTER WHICH HE AND THE PASSENGER CARRIED 2 FIVE GALLON CANS OF AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE TO THE ACFT AND POURED THEM INTO THE JET HELICOPTER FUEL TANK. AFTER ENG START AND TAKEOFF FROM THE FARM FIELD THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 1800 FT AGL BEFORE 'SHUDDERING' WITH A SUBSEQUENT ENG FLAME-OUT. THE PLT MADE AN AUTOROTATION AND SAID HE 'THOUGH HE LOST DEPTH PERCEPTION' WHEN HE TURNED ON THE LNDG LIGHTS. THE HOBBS METER SHOWED 3.5 HRS FOR A SERIES OF 8 FLTS SINCE THE LAST REFUELING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE USED BY THE PLT IS NOT AN APPROVED ALTERNATE FUEL FOR THIS ENG/ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52934](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52934-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 911065D (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: 911065D
- Airframe hours: 767
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Custom Aire,Inc.
- Registered owner: James W. Wellham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1984, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,814 total, 381 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 17 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 19840709031189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840709031189A), Jul 9, 1984: Hughes 369D, Franklin, TN, Destroyed. Pilot made precautionary landing and put automotive fuel in tank. Crash occurred when engine quit after takeoff.

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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