# NTSB CHI88DEV03: Hughes 369HS, N9033F, Ashland, IL, July 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1988, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, IL
- Coordinates: 39.879352, -89.99945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8794&lon=-89.9994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEV03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEV03

## Analysis

AS THE HELICOPTER WAS TAKING OFF, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ROTOR RPM WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A LOSS OF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENG. THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD & SEVERED THE    . TAIL BOOM. AN INSPN OF THE ENG REVEALED A 'B' NUT ON AN AIR LINE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR & FUEL CONTROL UNIT WAS CRACKED & LOOSE, WHICH PERMITTED SYSTEM LEAKAGE.

## 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, takeoff
  - fuel injection control/system - cracked (cause)
  - fuel injection control/system - loose (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Hard landing, takeoff - aborted
  - autorotation
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9033F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 8901078
- Airframe hours: 2167
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Alfred L. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1988, 287 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 300 in the last 30 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880728028269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880728028269A), Jul 28, 1988: Hughes 369HS, Ashland, IL, Substantial damage. Reported loss of fuel flow and roto RPM on takeoff. Aborted. Main rotor cut off boom landing. No defects found.

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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