# NTSB FTW83LA274: Hughes 369D, N58258, S. Padre Island, TX, June 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 15:56 local (20:56 UTC)
- Place: S. Padre Island, TX
- Coordinates: 26.409856, -97.230094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4099&lon=-97.2301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA274
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA274

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - misc rotorcraft,tail cone - loose (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - loose (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub - vibration (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD TOUCHDOWN DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER THE PLT FELT A TAIL ROTOR VIBRATION. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON A BEACH AND THE TOUCHDOWN COLLAPSED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LANDING GEAR CROSS TUBE. THIS SEPARATED THETAIL BOOM. EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR REVEALED THAT THE BLADES WERE VERY LOOSE ON THEIR CONICAL BEARINGS, INDICATING THAT THE BEARINGS WERE WORN. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58258 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1180389D
- Airframe hours: 1493
- Engines: ALLISON 250-20B turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Sandlin Flying Service
- Registered owner: Delta Helcopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,104 total, 168 in this make and model, 4,991 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19830612024919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612024919A), Jun 12, 1983: Hughes 369D, South Padre Isl, TX, Substantial damage. Vibrations in anti torque pedals. Made hard autorotation landing. Collapsed a skid. Tail rotor blade bearing worn.

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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