# NTSB DEN03LA062: Hughes 369D, N56SM, Estes Park, CO, April 2, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 2003, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Estes Park, CO
- Coordinates: 40.524444, -105.863891
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5244&lon=-105.8639&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Denver, CO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA062

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain clearance from terrain.  Factors include the high density altitude and the pilot-in-command's improper in-flight planning.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
- Roll over, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - landing gear,skid assembly - collapsed

## Analysis

The pilot said they were capturing bighorn sheep with a net canon.  He said he was pursuing a group of animals up rising terrain (11,200 feet) when his rotor speed began to deteriorate.  He tried to turn the helicopter around, but hit the ground breaking the helicopter's right skid.  Subsequently, the aircraft rolled over onto its right side, and its main rotor blades separated from the helicopter.   The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 13,068 feet.

## Factual narrative

On April 2, 2003, at approximately 1620 mountain standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N56SM,  was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a reversal maneuver near Estes Park, Colorado.  The commercial pilot and his private pilot crewmember were not injured.  Aris Helicopters of San Jose, California, was operating the flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, animal capture flight that originated at approximately 1530 from a forward staging area.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The pilot said they were capturing bighorn sheep with a net canon.  He said he was pursuing a group of animals up rising terrain (11,200 feet) when his rotor speed began to deteriorate.  He tried to turn the helicopter around, but hit the ground, breaking the helicopter's right skid.  The aircraft rolled over onto its right side, and its main rotor blades separated from the helicopter.  The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 13,068 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N56SM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 380287D
- Airframe hours: 6478.4
- Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Acme Rocket Sleds Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2003, 33.6 hours before
- Departed: NONE, Estes Park, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.47 inHg
- Observed at: FNL, 37 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 20030402007219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030402007219A), Apr 2, 2003: Hughes 369D, Estes Park, CO, Destroyed. (-23) Mr. Roger was pilot of N56SM (HU-369-D helicopter) during a wildlife capture program for the national forest service. While repositioning the helicopter…

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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