# NTSB DEN86LA227: Hughes 369D, N1110Z, Clark, CO, August 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1986, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Clark, CO
- Coordinates: 40.839778, -106.929969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8398&lon=-106.9300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA227

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - power on landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLTSTATED THAT HE WAS DEPARTING FROM A LANDING ZONE THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY TALL TREES. HE ALSO STATED THAT AFTER LIFTOFF, AS THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED ABOVE THE TREES THE WIND EITHER SHIFTED DIRECTION OR STOPPED AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE. THE PLT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT AND THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER STRUCK SEVERAL TREES. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 12,180 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1110Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11086D
- Airframe hours: 2593
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Roberts Aircraft Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1986, 31 hours before
- Departed: CALIFORNIA PARK, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,874 total, 145 in this make and model, 7,624 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19860808038529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860808038529A), Aug 8, 1986: Hughes 369D, Clark, CO, Substantial damage. Helicopter began to settle back into trees after takeoff. Pilot did not account for winds and density altitude.

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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