# NTSB FTW86LA135: Hughes 369D, N1109T, Houston, TX, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.689311, -95.249099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6893&lon=-95.2491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - landing gear,skid assembly - bent (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - bent (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTING THE CO-PILOT IN QUICK STOP MANEUVERS, WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL BOOM AND AFT SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND ON DESCENT. THE HELICOPTER TAIL BOOM WAS BENT 2 FEET FORWARD OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX AND BOTH AFT SKIDS WERE BROKEN. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS IN A STATIONARY HOVER WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO SPIN AND COLLIDE WITH THE GROUND. HOWEVER. THE FAA INSPECTOR AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT STATED THEY WERE PRACTICING QUICK STOPS AND THAT HE COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1109T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1200856D
- Airframe hours: 989
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dell York Development Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1986, 166 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,109 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,268 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 17 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 19860720034169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034169A), Jul 20, 1986: Hughes 369D, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Tail rotor hit the ground while practicing quick stops. Bent tail boom and aft skid. Pilot not a rated instructor.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.