# NTSB DEN85LA210: Hughes 369D, N8662F, Cheyenne, WY, August 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1985, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Cheyenne, WY
- Coordinates: 41.13932, -104.789779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1393&lon=-104.7898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil gasket - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS A PIPELINE PATROL OPERATION. WHILE IN FLT, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED IN THE CABIN. THE PLT MADE AN UNSUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SMOKE WAS FROM AN INFLIGHT ENG COMPARTMENT FIRE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES TO THE PLT AND HIS PAX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8662F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 690530D
- Airframe hours: 1794
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Denver Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: CYS, CHEYENNE, WY
- Destination: EAN, WHEATLAND, WY
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,800 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CYS, 19 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 19850806036909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850806036909A), Aug 6, 1985: Hughes 369D, Cheyenne, WY, Substantial damage. Oil filter o ring protruding from under cover. Oil leaked. Started fire that burned fuel line. Emergency landing.

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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