# NTSB ATL85LA183: Hughes 369HS, N9146F, Aiken, SC, June 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1985, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Aiken, SC
- Coordinates: 33.539737, -81.719635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5397&lon=-81.7196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing - flare/touchdown
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - incorrect (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication
  - warning system(other) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD. THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE 15 MIN FLT, THE FUEL GAGE WAS INDICATING 125 LBS OF FUEL & AT THE ACCIDENT SITE IT INDICATED 90 LBS OF FUEL. A POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT 3 SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE NOT INSTALLED IN THE FUEL CELL & ONLY A TRACE OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. THE ABSENCE OF THE BRACKETS PERMITTED THE FUEL CELL TO COLLAPSE AS FUEL WAS CONSUMED & RESULTED IN ERRONEOUS FUEL GAGE READINGS. THE FUEL LOW CAUTION INDICATOR WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A CANNON PLUG THAT WAS IMPROPERLY WIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9146F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9146F), registered now, S/N 830508S, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 830508S
- Airframe hours: 1840
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18A 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: South Carolina Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 13, 1985
- Departed: SALUDA, SC
- Airport: AIK, Aiken Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,664 total, 300 in this make and model, 11,444 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F

## 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 19850607023729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850607023729A), Jun 7, 1985: Hughes 369HS, Aiken, SC, Substantial damage. Loss of power in hover due to fuel exhaustion. Fuel bladder brackets gone. False fuel reading, low fuel light inop.

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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