# NTSB BFO89LA055: Hughes 500D, N51516, Williamson, WV, July 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 12:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Williamson, WV
- Coordinates: 37.66962, -82.2695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6696&lon=-82.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA055

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE WIRE WHICH CROSSED THE END OF THE FIELD IN WHICH HE WAS TAKING OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF FROM AN OPEN FILED, A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS EXPERIENCED AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO TERRAIN IMPACT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ROTOR BLADES HAD CONTACTED AN UNMARKED WIRE WHICH CROSSED NEAR THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. A PORTION OF ONE ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND TRAVELED APRX 75 YARDS PRIOR TO CONTACTING A PARKED CAR.THE PLT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS OF THE HELICOPTER AND THAT SUN GLARE WAS NOT A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51516](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51516-1990-03-02), registration cancelled 1990-03-02, S/N 610998D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 610988D
- Airframe hours: 2152
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Appalachian Tire Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1989, 52 hours before
- Destination: PIKESVILLE, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,700 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19890707020959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707020959A), Jul 7, 1989: Hughes 369D, Williamson, WV, Substantial damage. Struck an unmarked static wire on liftoff and descended to the ground. Impact injured occupants.

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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