# NTSB FTW86LA041: Hughes 369D, N58420, New Boston, TX, March 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1986, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: New Boston, TX
- Coordinates: 33.459297, -94.410179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4593&lon=-94.4102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT FLEXIBLE COUPLING FAILURE WHEN HE PULLED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO COME TO A HOVER BEFORE LANDING. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLABLE RIGHT SPIN. DURING HIS HASTE TO GET THE HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND THE PILOT MADE A HARD TOUCHDOWN. THE SPINNING HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58420](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58420-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 880337D, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 880337D
- Airframe hours: 2287
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Metro Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 19, 1985, 92 hours before
- Departed: MANSFIELD, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 536 total, 21 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 165° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19860307005849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860307005849A), Mar 7, 1986: Hughes 369D, New Boston, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost tail rotor control during landing and rolled over. Tail rotor drive coupling had fatigue fracture.

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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