# NTSB FTW83LA350: Hughes 369D, N1109, Kemah, TX, July 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1983, 22:45 local (Jul 26, 1983, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Kemah, TX
- Coordinates: 29.540483, -95.02922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5405&lon=-95.0292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA350
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA350

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, hover
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - disturbance - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, other person (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - performed, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD LANDED IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT A LOCAL ORDINANCE HAD BEEN PASSED PROHIBITING HELICOPTER OPERATIONS FROM RESTAURANT PARKING LOTS & THAT THE POLICE HAD BEEN CALLED, HE PREPARED TO TAKEOFF. AS THE PLT WAS PREPARING TO LIFT OFF, A PERSON APROACHED THE HELICOPTER TO PROTEST ITS OPERATION NEAR HIS TRAILER HOUSE & TOLD THE PLT NOT TO TAKE OFF. THE PLT STATED HE WAS AFRAID FOR HIS SAFETY & LIFTED OFF TO A HOVER & BACK DOWN 'A COUPLE OF TIMES' UNTIL THE PERSON JUMPED OFF. THE PERSON EITHER JUMPED OR FELL ABOUT 20 FT & WAS INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1109 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1200856D
- Airframe hours: 390
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Interdrill Oil & Cas Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1982, 40 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,800 total, 105 in this make and model, 4,685 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EFD, 12 nm away

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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