# NTSB BFO91LA036: Hughes 369HS, N5FC, Columbia, MD, March 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1991, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, MD
- Coordinates: 39.199722, -76.849777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1997&lon=-76.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (FENCE POST).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CLEARING ON TELEPHONE COMPANY RIGHT OF WAY PROPERTY IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPANY'S GROUND PERSONNEL. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, AFTER TURNING HIS CRAFT INTO THE WIND AND MANEUVERING TO AVOID SOME LOOSE GROUND WIRES, HE DESCENDED FOR A LANDING. AT ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE AIRCRAFT SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY, BUT HE DID NOT LOSE PEDAL CONTROL. HE EXECUTED A HOVER AUTO ROTATION, LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. AFTER EXITING THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THE TAIL ROTOR AND FINS HAD STRUCK A 2 INCH METAL FENCE POST THAT WAS 7 FEET TALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5FC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5FC), registered now, S/N 0787S, built 1976 (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 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0787S
- Airframe hours: 3612
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Omni Flight Helicopters
- Registered owner: Fleetwind International
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1991, 41 hours before
- Departed: MTN, BALTIMORE, MD
- Destination: LYH, LYNCHBURG, VA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,531 total, 434 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 7 °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 19910327007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910327007719A), Mar 27, 1991: Hughes 369HS, Columbia, MD, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck a 7 ft tall fence post while landing on telephone cable right of way to contact ground crew.

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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