# NTSB CHI04LA017: Hughes 369HS, N49TJ, Evansville, MN, October 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2003, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Evansville, MN - Coordinates: 46.091667, -95.733329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0917&lon=-95.7333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58234/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58234 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of clearance from the surface of the lake during the aerial application pass. The low altitude operation, glassy water, and his visual perception were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a lake while conducting an aerial application pass. The local flight was operating from a temporary load site near the lake shoreline. The pilot stated: "The conditions were calm winds, sun coming up over the trees to the east, glassy water condition. During the spray run I must [have] lost my depth perception with the water surface and allowed the skids to contact the water. The aircraft decelerated rapidly ... [and] water came up over the bubble as the aircraft pitched forward." The pilot also noted that he should have "looked at the trees along the shoreline for a vertical reference instead of at the water. With glassy water it is hard to judge distance." He reported there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2003, at 0845 central daylight time, a Hughes 369HS helicopter, N49TJ, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with Lake Christina near Evansville, Minnesota. The pilot was conducting an aerial application pass over the lake at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 137 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The local flight was operating from a temporary load site near the lake shoreline. The pilot reported in his written statement that he departed from the load site about 0840. This was his sixth spray load of the day. He stated: "The conditions were calm winds, sun coming up over the trees to the east, glassy water condition. During the spray run I must [have] lost my depth perception with the water surface and allowed the skids to contact the water. The aircraft decelerated rapidly. ... Water came up over the bubble as the aircraft pitched forward." After the accident, the pilot noted that he should have "looked at the trees along the shoreline for a vertical reference instead of at the water. With glassy water it is hard to judge distance." The pilot reported no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49TJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49TJ), registered now, S/N 550747S, built 1975 (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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 550747S - Airframe hours: 9394 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Big Bird Leasing Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 2003, 35 hours before - Departed: N/A, Lake Christina, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 4, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 6,588 total, 1,230 in this make and model, 6,488 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: AXN, 19 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 20031021029219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031021029219A), Oct 21, 2003: Hughes 369HS, Evansville, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was spraying lake to kill fish for Minnesota dnr. While looking at spray nozzle pilot heard pop, bang and aircraft crashed into lake. Pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 13, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58234. 520 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 323 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF - Douglas County Sheriff's Office Report (item 3, .PDF, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Douglas%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Report-Master.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.