# NTSB DEN85LA042: Hughes 369D, N58220, Springville, UT, December 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1984, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Springville, UT
- Coordinates: 40.200862, -111.469741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2009&lon=-111.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING POSITIONED AT A REMOTE SITE FOR A PASSENGER PICK-UP. DURING THE MANEUVERING TO GET INTO A GOOD SPOT FOR LANDING THE PLT LOST VISUAL REFERENCE BECAUSE OF BLOWING SNOW. THE PLT SAID HE FELT THE RIGHT SKID HIT THE GROUND AND LOWERED COLLECTIVE BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AND THE FUSELAGE CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58220 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 48304 P
- Airframe hours: 2649
- Engines: ALLISON C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hosking Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 26, 1984, 7 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,805 in this make and model, 3,230 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °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 19841213066899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841213066899A), Dec 13, 1984: Hughes 369D, Springville, UT, Substantial damage. Blowing snow obscured the landing site just prior to touchdown. One skid touched the snow causing dynamic rollover.

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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