# NTSB CEN21LA139: Hughes 369, N58431, Kaufman, TX, February 26, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 26, 2021, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Kaufman, TX - Coordinates: 32.585278, -96.307778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5853&lon=-96.3078&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 102690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102690/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102690 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA139 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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 Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the helicopter struck a power line while he pursued a small group of pigs during an aerial hunting flight. The helicopter was about 30 ft. above ground level when it struck an inactive power line running from a support pole to an abandoned farmhouse. The pilot executed a “quickstop” and landed normally in the field. Both power lines were cut, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to one main rotor blade, one tail rotor blade, and the vertical stabilizer. There were no anomalies associated with the helicopter before the accident. According to the pilot, the operator had not previously conducted any flights at that location. He noted that, in the future, the operator will conduct a “recon of the area [and] not get below the tree line in an unfamiliar area.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58431), registered now, S/N 1290647D, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369 (D) - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1290647D - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 30228.2 - Engines: Allison 250 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2020 - Departed: PVT, Lone Oak, TX - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 850 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: TRL, 7 nm away ## 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 20210226001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210226001709A), Feb 26, 2021: Hughes 369D, Kaufman, TX, Substantial damage. Helicopter was hoovering in an attempt to engage in a pig shoot on a charity flight. Pilot did not see the powerline behind the trees. Helicopter main blade… ## Other investigations on N58431 (3) 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. - [NTSB LAX05CA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA263), Aug 8, 2005: Hughes 369D (N58431), North Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper use of the cyclic flight control and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. - [NTSB LAX99TA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99TA088), Jan 31, 1999: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N58431), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly judge the landing flare maneuver during a practice autorotative landing resulting in a hard landing. - [NTSB FTW80FQA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FQA36), Jul 7, 1980: Hughes 369D (N58431), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102690. 19.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 14.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12069527&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Rpt%20--%20CEN21LA139_redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12072807&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN21LA139-Rel.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.