# NTSB DEN90LA121: Hughes 369HS, N436DS, Las Cruces, NM, June 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1990, 18:15 local (Jun 2, 1990, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 32.220745, -106.989852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2207&lon=-106.9899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA121

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ALTITUDE, FOLLOWING PICKUP OF A PASSENGER FROM A REMOTE MOUNTAIN SITE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT CONDUCTED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ONTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. ON LANDING, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND CAME TO REST FACING UP SLOPE. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES AND WERE MEDICACED TO MEDICAL FACILITIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THERE WAS NO FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N436DS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N436DS), registered now, S/N 630487S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 500C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-500c) (registry code 4470805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6304879
- Airframe hours: 3743
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Charles Bella
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 30, 1990, 37 hours before
- Departed: NONE, EL PASO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,900 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 9,357 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900601019829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900601019829A), Jun 1, 1990: Hughes 369HS, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Reported engine failed after takeoff on mountainside. Autorotated to slope landing. Rolled over. No defects found.

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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