# NTSB ERA25LA040: Hughes 369D, N11AS, Waycross, GA, November 5, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 5, 2024, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Waycross, GA
- Coordinates: 31.248389, -82.395389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2484&lon=-82.3954&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195452/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195452
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA040

## Probable cause

An encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Tail rotor drive system: tail rotor drive shaft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046510): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046510/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046510/cases.md)
- [Empennage structure: horizontal stabilizer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting tree trimming operations on a power line right of way that consisted of a 10-blade aerial saw that was slung below the helicopter. During the cutting, a saw blade snagged a 1/2-inch cable that wrapped itself around the lower saw blades. A section of the cable broke off and struck the tail rotor assembly, damaging the stabilizers and tail rotor drive shaft. The helicopter lost all tail rotor authority and began an uncontrolled yaw, impacting the trees as it descended to the terrain where it came to rest on its left side. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and rotor blades. The operator did not report that there were any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11AS-2025-01-25), registration cancelled 2025-01-25, S/N 790541D, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 790541D
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 40678
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: External load, Part 133
- Operator: Aviation Advantage LLC
- Registered owner: Aviation Advantage LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 2, 2024, 6 hours before
- Departed: AYS, Waycross, GA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: AYS, Waycross-Ware County
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,900 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observed at: AYS
- METAR: KAYS 051755Z AUTO 11009KT 10SM SCT039 SCT045 29/20 A3008 RMK AO2 T02940195 TSNO

## 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 20241105021069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241105021069A), Nov 5, 2024: Hughes 369D, Waycross, GA, Destroyed. The pilot was conducting tree trimming operations on a power line right of way utilizing a 10 bladed aerial saw that slung below the helicopter. During the…

## Other investigations on N11AS (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 ATL07LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA079), Apr 24, 2007: Hughes 369D (N11AS), Whiteville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to fatigue fracture of the power turbine governor spring, causing a false pneumatic signal to the fuel control and a corresponding reduction in fuel flow.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195452. 3.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17927299&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operators%206120%20Accident%20Report_N11AS_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 540 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17927309&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_N11AS-Rel.pdf
- Additional photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 455 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18003585&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Follow%20Up%20Exam-Rel.pdf

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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