# NTSB DEN01LA002: Hughes 369FF, N82638, Baggs, WY, October 10, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 2000, 09:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Baggs, WY
- Coordinates: 41.029315, -107.650436 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0293&lon=-107.6504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA002

## Probable cause

impact with terrain following a total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the turbine-to-compressor coupling. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

## 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, hover - out of ground effect
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - disintegrated (contributing factor)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine - overspeed (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

The helicopter was engaged in seismographic/external load operations. According to the pilot, the helicopter was in a stabilized out-of-ground-effect hover at approximately 130 feet above the ground when he heard a loud "pop" or "bang" and the engine lost power. The pilot said the helicopter descended rapidly and impacted the ground at a higher than normal rate of descent. Examination of the engine revealed that the turbine-to-compressor coupling exhibited fatigue failure at the turbine end, having approximately 60 percent of the splines broken away.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 2000, at approximately 0915 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 369-FF, N82638, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while hovering during an external-loads operation near Baggs, WY.  The commercial pilot received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed for this local flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 133.

Preliminary information indicates the helicopter was operating under contract to Western Geophysical and was engaged in seismographic operations.  Witnesses stated that the helicopter was at about a 100 foot hover, preparing to drop off seismographic equipment from a 75 foot cable (external sling load), when all power was lost and the helicopter descended vertically, impacting the ground in a level attitude.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N82638 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 369FF
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0056FF
- Airframe hours: 2750
- Engines: Allison 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Helicopters By Oz, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2000, 93 hours before
- Departed: WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,186 total, 9,180 in this make and model, 13,066 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 96 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 145 °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 20001010015529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001010015529A), Oct 10, 2000: Hughes 369FF, Baggs, WY, No damage. (-23) Pilot was operating the heli with an external load for a seismagraphic/geophysical operation. At approx. 90 feet above the ground the engine failed. The…

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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