# NTSB CHI84LA186: Hughes 500D, N8352F, Rensselaer, IN, May 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1984, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Rensselaer, IN
- Coordinates: 40.929008, -87.140495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9290&lon=-87.1405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,pump - corroded (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,nozzle - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system,screen - blocked(total)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

HARD FORCED LANDING MADE AFTER LOSS OF PWR AT CRUISE ALT OF 500 FT AGL. MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED TAIL BOOM. EXAMINATION DISCLOSED FUEL PUMP GEARS SHOWED SIGNS OF CORROSION. GEAR TEETH AND END FACES WERE SEVERLY ETCHED AND PITTED. BRONZE PARTICLES WERE FOUND IN FUEL NOZZLES AND FUEL SCREEN. ACFT REPORTEDLY SAT IDLE FOR 3 MONTHS BEFORE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8352F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1260066D
- Airframe hours: 1620
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rotar Aire
- Registered owner: M.G. Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1984, 14 hours before
- Departed: RZL, RENSSELAER, IN
- Destination: LAF, LAFAYETTE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 12,025 total, 3,850 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF

## 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 19840513018379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840513018379A), May 13, 1984: Hughes 369D, Rensselaer, IN, Substantial damage. Contaminated fuel corroded fuel pump gears. Bronze particles in fuel nozzles fuel pump working. Engine quit.

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.