# NTSB CHI85FA213: Hughes 369E, N5219A, Indianapolis, IN, May 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1985, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Location: 39.7684° N, 86.1580° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Indianapolis, IN, within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7684&lon=-86.1580&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA213

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fuel supply - reduced, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AS THE HELICOPTER WAS ON DOWNWIND FOR THE HELIPORT, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN PWR INTERRUPTION AND EVENTUALLY A ENG FAILURE. HE WAS ATTEMPTING AN AUTOROTATION TO RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN HE SAW WIRES. HE MANAGED TO MISS THE WIRES BUT BY DOING SO HE EXPENDED THE ROTOR RPM AND CRASHED ONTO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. INSPECTION REVEALED THE BYPASS HOSE FROM THE ENG FUEL PUMP FILTER TO THE FUEL FILTER PRESSURE SWITCH WAS TWISTED. THE FITTING ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS FOUND LOOSE AND COULD BE TURNED WITH FINGER PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5219A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5219A-1990-05-14), registration cancelled 1990-05-14, S/N 0136E (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369E
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369e) (registry code 4470707) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0136E
- Airframe hours: 45
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hughes Helicopter Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1985, 45 hours before
- Departed: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: IN03, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,325 total, 980 in this make and model, 1,568 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 4 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 19850525020859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850525020859A), May 25, 1985: Hughes 369E, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed. Surged and yawed on approach and lost power. Stalled avoiding high line. Improper fuel line installation.

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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