# NTSB FTW86LA152: Hughes 369-500D, N4493M, Fort Stockton, TX, August 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1986, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Stockton, TX
- Coordinates: 30.889247, -102.880126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8892&lon=-102.8801&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): 22078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - warning system(other) - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION AFTER EXPERIENCING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT KNEW HE WAS LOW ON FUEL, BUT WAS DEPENDING ON HIS WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE LOW FUEL.THE WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. ON TOUCHDOWN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO SEVERE THE TAIL BOOM JUST AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4493M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4493M-2004-07-15), registration cancelled 2004-07-15, S/N 570137D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369-500D
- Registry model: [Hughes 500D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-500d) (registry code 4470806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5701370
- Airframe hours: 1284
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William O. Bowers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1986, 11 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 699 total, 5 in this make and model, 651 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 207° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 104 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 50 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 19860820044119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860820044119A), Aug 20, 1986: Hughes 369D, Ft Stockton, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft was damaged during a hard emergency landing. Engine failed from fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N4493M (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 LAX03FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA200), Jun 15, 2003: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N4493M), Volcano, HI, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: a loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture and separation of the compressor coupling adapter. The fatigue fracture was initiated by fretting on the pilot diameter due to both the inadequate…

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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