# NTSB DEN01LA144: Hughes 369FF, N530TJ, Kemmerer, WY, August 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2001, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Kemmerer, WY - Coordinates: 41.780033, -110.550506 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7800&lon=-110.5505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards Field Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53005/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA144 ## Probable cause fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft, which resulted in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the unsuitable steep terrain on which to make a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - Hard landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter was being used to support seismic operations in the area and had just dropped off several bags of equipment. The pilot made a right pedal turn to move away from a steep hillside at an altitude of 200 feet agl and an airspeed of 20 to 30 knots. The engine lost power, and the helicopter began descending. The pilot initiated an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard on the right rear skid, which collapsed dropping the helicopter onto its right side. Examination revealed a total of 2 quarts of fuel in the fuel cells. No water or contaminants were detected in the fuel. One ounce of fuel was drained from the engine fuel filter, and 3 ounces of fuel were drained from the engine-driven fuel pump filter bowl. No fuel was found in the engine supply line. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2001, approximately 1145 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 369FF helicopter, N530TJ, was substantially damaged when it landed hard during a forced landing following a loss of engine power approximately 15 miles northeast of Kemmerer, Wyoming. The helicopter was operated by Omni Aviation Services, LLC of Lafayette, Louisiana. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the external load flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 133. The flight originated at a staging area 15 miles northeast of Kemmerer approximately 1100. According to the pilot's accident report, the helicopter was being used to support seismic operations in the area and had just dropped off several bags of equipment. He made a right pedal turn to move away from a steep hillside at an altitude of "about 200 feet agl" (above ground level) and a speed of "20 to 30 knots." He "heard the engine begin to 'spool down' and the aircraft began descending." The pilot initiated an autorotation, and the helicopter landed "hard on the right rear skid, which collapsed dropping the [aircraft] onto its right side." He stated that "the rotor rpm had dropped below the green line by the time I had the pitch full down and by the reaction of the [aircraft] at the bottom, I do not think I had gained much back at the time of ground contact." According to the operator, the damage to the helicopter was substantial. The helicopter and engine were sent to Arrow Aviation in Broussard, Louisiana, for examination. According to the Arrow Aviation report, 2 quarts of fuel were pumped from the fuel cells. No water or contaminants were detected in this sample. One ounce of fuel was drained from the engine fuel filter, and 3 ounces of fuel were drained from the engine-driven fuel pump filter bowl. No fuel was found in the engine supply line. Metallic particles were found in the fuel control inlet filter screen. ## Aircraft - Registration: N530TJ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369FF - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0041FF - Airframe hours: 2744 - Engines: Allison 250-C30 425 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Operator: Omni Aviation Services, LLC - Registered owner: Textron Financial Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2001, 57 hours before - Departed: Kemmerer, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 20, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 14,793 total, 195 in this make and model, 14,593 as pilot in command, 195 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.