# NTSB CEN14CA444: Hughes 369HS, N369GN, Saint Peter, MN, August 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2014, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Saint Peter, MN - Coordinates: 44.152778, -93.534721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1528&lon=-93.5347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89923 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA444 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89923/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89923 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA444 ## Probable cause The pilot did not see the wires resulting in the subsequent wire collision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 369HS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=4470728), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 369HS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4470728), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Hughes 369HS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4470728), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 369HS, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470728), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 369HS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4470728), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an application flight, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter in order to conduct another pass, maintaining vigilance of the high lines and trees in the vicinity of his operations. The pilot stated that he did not see the 2 wires spanning from across the road into the bean field where he was applying insecticide. He flew right into the wires which subsequently entangled around the mast of the helicopter. During the forced landing to the field, the "controls locked up" and the helicopter spun to the right 3 times before impacting the ground. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During an application flight, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter in order to conduct another pass, maintaining vigilance of the high lines and trees in the vicinity of his operations. The pilot stated that he did not see the 2 wires spanning from across the road into the bean field where he was applying insecticide. He flew right into the wires which subsequently entangled around the mast of the helicopter. During the forced landing to the field, the "controls locked up" and the helicopter spun to the right 3 times before impacting the ground. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N369GN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N369GN), registered now, S/N 140553S (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS (HS) - Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 140553S - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 9105.5 - Engines: Allison 250-C2-B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tery Jon Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Big Bird Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 2014 - Departed: Saint Peter, MN - Destination: Saint Peter, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 8,350 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KMKT ## 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 20140818013439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140818013439A), Aug 18, 2014: Hughes 369HS, St. Peter, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was spraying a bean field. As he was nearly empty of product, he decided to make a clean up run on the north end of the field. As he made his turn… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89923. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.