# NTSB BFO88LA064: Hughes 369D, N32CT, Clarksburg, WV, July 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1988, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Clarksburg, WV
- Coordinates: 39.290946, -80.250556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2909&lon=-80.2506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR PRACTICED SEVERAL MANEUVERS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THEY WERE DOING STRAIGHT-IN LANDINGS. THE STUDENT DID ONE LANDING AFTER A DEMO BY THE INSTRUCTOR. THE STUDENT WAS DOING HIS SECOND LANDING WHICH THE INSTRUCTOR DESCRIBED AS NOT EXCESSIVELY HARD AND WITHOUT BOUNCING. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE AIRCRAFT SLID ABOUT SIX FEET WHEN HE HEARD A NOISE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLOWLY TURNED ABOUT 120 DEGREES AND STOPPED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE MAIN ROTOR HAD STRUCK & SHEARED THE TAILBOOM ABOUT 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MALFUNCTIONS AND THERE WAS NONE FOUND DURING THE EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N32CT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1193D
- Airframe hours: 2305
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cng Transmission Corp
- Registered owner: Consolidated Gas Transmission
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1988
- Destination: CKB
- Airport: CKB, Benedum

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, airline transport, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,632 total, 2,020 in this make and model, 6,475 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CKB

## 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 19880705025619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880705025619A), Jul 5, 1988: Hughes 369D, Clarksburg, WV, Substantial damage. Main rotor chopped off the tailboom on practice autorotation landing.

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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