# NTSB FTW83LA421: Hughes 500D, N277SP, Portales, NM, September 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1983, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Portales, NM
- Coordinates: 34.179618, -103.339019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1796&lon=-103.3390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA421
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA421

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT PORTALES, NM WITH ABOUT 7 GAL OF JET FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. SINCE JET FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE, HE ADDED 15 GAL OF 100 LOW LEAD AVGAS, WHICH WAS AN APPROVED ALTERNATE FUEL. SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ENG FLAMED OUT & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A RESTART. DURING AN EMERENCY LANDING, THE TAIL BOOM & MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE START FUEL PUMP WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLT MANUAL & THAT THE AUTORELIGHT SYS WAS ARMED. THE ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FLAMEOUT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N277SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N277SP-1995-06-15), registration cancelled 1995-06-15, S/N 290461D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 290461D
- Airframe hours: 3209
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southwestern Public Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 31, 1983, 3 hours before
- Destination: CLOVIS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,738 total, 351 in this make and model, 1,576 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19830901045999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830901045999A), Sep 1, 1983: Hughes 369D, Portales, NM, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out shortly after takeoff. Was serviced with avgas that needs start pumps on. Pilot reports pumps on.

## Other investigations on N277SP (2)

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 LAX93LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA261), Jun 19, 1993: Mcdonnell Douglas 369D (N277SP), Half Moon Bay, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilots failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the light tower and associated electrical power cables. Factors in the accident were; 1) pilot fatigue due to an excessively long duty day,…
- [NTSB FTW82DA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA195), May 27, 1982: Hughes 500D (N277SP), Amarillo, TX, substantial damage

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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