# NTSB DEN84LA075: Hughes 369HS, N4507C, Buffalo, WY, January 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1984, 17:05 local (Jan 27, 1984, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, WY
- Coordinates: 44.339962, -106.709564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3400&lon=-106.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft service - not corrected, airport personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER A FEW MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF AND MADE A FORCED LANDING. THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED FROM A FUEL TRUCK SHORTLY BEFORE TAKEOFF. SAMPLES OF FUEL FROM THE ACFT AND THE FUEL TRUCK WERE EXAMINED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4507C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4507C-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 450733S, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 450733S
- Airframe hours: 2589
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Soloy Heliops
- Registered owner: Slana Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1984, 9 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19840126077089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840126077089A), Jan 26, 1984: Hughes 369HS, Buffalo, WY, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during hard autorotation landing. Water contamination found in fuel tank and system.

## Other investigations on N4507C (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA87LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA106), Mar 12, 1987: Hughes 364HS (N4507C), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage

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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