# NTSB ERA26LA097: Hughes 369, N105AC, North Augusta, SC, January 22, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: January 22, 2026, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: North Augusta, SC
- Coordinates: 33.626492, -81.929363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6265&lon=-81.9294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: MD Helicopters, Rolls Royce, FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA097
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA097

## Preliminary report

On January 22, 2026, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Hughes 369D, N105AC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near North Augusta, South Carolina. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight. The pilot reported that about 45 minutes into conducting tree trimming operations an engine chips caution light illuminated. The pilot was attempting to return to the landing zone when the engine torque and temperature began to fluctuate, and the helicopter subsequently experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot jettisoned the external load and conducted an autorotation to the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The helicopter was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N105AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N105AC), registered now, S/N 580316D, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369 (D)
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 580316D
- Year built: 1978
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: External load, Part 133
- Operator: Agricultural Air Services LLC
- Registered owner: Agricultural Air Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: DNL, 11 nm away
- METAR: METAR KDNL 222053Z AUTO 34005KT 10SM BKN055 OVC075 14/07 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP219 T01390072 56015

## 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 20260122000529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260122000529A), Jan 22, 2026: Hughes 369D, North Augusta, SC, Substantial damage. While performing aerial tree trimming, the pilot received a chip detector light. Started back toward the landing zone when the torque started to decay and…

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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