# NTSB CHI85FA034: Hughes 500D/369D, N8069G, Mc Cordsville, IN, October 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1984, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mc Cordsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.899936, -85.929298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8999&lon=-85.9293&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): 12807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - miscellaneous - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT WHILE ON A TEST FLT & CHOPPED OFF THE TAIL BOOM. THE PLT STATED HE LOST POWER AT 150 FT AGL & ENTERED AUTOROTATION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY FLOAT HAD BECOME INTANGLED WITH THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL LINE. THIS RESULTED IN AN INDICATION OF 150 LBS OF FUEL ON THE FUEL GAUGE WHEN IN FACT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE TANKS, LINES OR FILTERS. THERE IS A WARNING IN THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL STATING THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL LINE SHOULD BE TIE WRAPPED TO THE FUEL LINE SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE FLOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8069G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D/369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 02320
- Airframe hours: 3322
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Trafficopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1983, 1 hours before
- Departed: 121, BROOKSIDE, IN
- Airport: I21, Brookside

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,588 total, 1,026 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 25 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 19841030059409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841030059409A), Oct 30, 1984: Hughes 369D, Mccordsville, IN, Substantial damage. Loose fuel pump electrical wire jammed fuel float. Wrong fuel quantity indication, fuel exhaustion. No pilot bfr.

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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