# NTSB FTW84LA217: Hughes 500D, N5063G, New Braunfels, TX, May 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1984, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.700233, -98.110038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7002&lon=-98.1100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - loss,total (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DESPITE ADVERSE WX WHICH FORCED THE PLT TO STOP ONCE ENROUTE TO HIS DEST THE FLT WAS CONTINUED. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST WHEN THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE TERRAIN SEPARATING BOTH TAIL ROTOR BLADES FROM THE ACFT AND TORSIONALLY SHEARING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. PWR WAS REDUCED AND THEPLT AUTOROTATED INTO A FIELD. THE TAILBOOM WAS STRUCK BY THEMAIN ROTOR BLADE DURING THE LDG. DURING THE LDG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5063G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5063G), registered now, S/N 711021D (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: 711021D
- Airframe hours: 835
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe R. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1984, 35 hours before
- Departed: KERRVILLE, TX
- Destination: 3R5, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,120 total, 120 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 20 nm away

## 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 19840502016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840502016739A), May 2, 1984: Hughes 369D, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Struck tail rotor on the ground during a precautionary landing due to adverse weather. Obscuration fog and drizzle.

## Other investigations on N5063G (1)

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 SEA98LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA128), Jul 9, 1998: Hughes 369D (N5063G), Raymond, WA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The use of the improper long-line cable by the ground crew, and its subsequent separation from the helicopter.

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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