# NTSB FTW83LA008: Hughes TH-55A, N8045F, Balmorhea, TX, October 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1982, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Balmorhea, TX
- Coordinates: 30.979259, -103.739196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9793&lon=-103.7392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA008

## 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)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A HUGHES HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND WAS CRASHED INTO A TREE TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING DOWN A HILL. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT SAID THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE DECAYED FROM22 INCHES TO 18 INCHES AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO BLEED OFF. THE PILOT TRIED TO REGAIN MANIFOLD PRESSURE BY REDUCING COLLECTIVE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8,800 FEET. NO DISCREPANCIES, OTHER THAN IMPACT RELATED, WERE FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8045F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8045F-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 66-18275 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES TH-55A
- Registry model: [Hughes TH-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55a) (registry code 4471004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 46-0518
- Airframe hours: 4394
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Los Hermanos De La Frontera
- Registered owner: Los Hermanos De La Frontera
- Departed: PECOS, TX
- Destination: PECOS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,985 total, 280 in this make and model, 5,560 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 162 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821004050929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821004050929A), Oct 4, 1982: Hughes TH55A, Balmorhea, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Struck a tree on forced landing. Engine had numerous maintenance problems.

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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