# NTSB BFO87DHD02: Hughes 369D, N8670F, Newark, DE, November 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1986, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Newark, DE
- Coordinates: 39.710159, -75.740348 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7102&lon=-75.7403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87DHD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87DHD02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - bent (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN ON A MAINTENANCE CHECK FLT. AS THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES & TAIL BOOM WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTD THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE INDICATED THAT 120 LBS OF FUEL WAS REMAINING WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL FLOAT ARM, PN 369D296303-3, REVEALED IT WAS BENT & WAS BINDING ON THE INTERNAL FUEL PUMP HOUSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8670F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8670F-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 870168D (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: 168
- Airframe hours: 8000
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry Corbin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1986, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 61 °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 19861125068039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861125068039A), Nov 25, 1986: Hughes 369D, Newark, DE, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft was damaged during landing. Fuel float arm found bent.

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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