# NTSB CHI84LA270: Hughes 500C/369HS, N377ST, Arena, WI, June 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1984, 19:50 local (Jun 30, 1984, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Arena, WI
- Coordinates: 43.160217, -89.910522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1602&lon=-89.9105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA270

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - compressor assembly,stator vane retainer - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING OPERATION THE HELICOPTER ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATION. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ON LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT HE OBSERVED A LOSS OF ENG & ROTOR RPM, NECESSATATING THE AUTOROTATION. INSPECTION OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE THIRD STAGE STATOR VANES WERE BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N377ST (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500C/369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7406205
- Airframe hours: 3204
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Harold E. Miller
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: ARENA, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 650 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 5° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 45 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 19840629033789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840629033789A), Jun 29, 1984: Hughes 369HS, Arena, WI, Substantial damage. Collided with the ground on autorotation due to power loss. Cooling fan belt and third stage stator vanes broken.

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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