# NTSB FTW89DRA01: Hughes 369D, N58261, Kountze, TX, December 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1988, 14:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Kountze, TX
- Coordinates: 30.36923, -94.309715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3692&lon=-94.3097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRA01

## Probable cause

FALSE INDICATIONS OF THE FUEL QUANTITY SYSTEM, WHICH LED THE PILOT TO BELIEVE HA HAD MORE FUEL THAN HE DID.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - external load sling/harness - other (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not possible
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - external load sling/harness - entangled (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED TO DISPENSE FERTILIZER FROM A BUCKET ON A LINE. WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PLT TRIED TO DROP THE BUCKET, BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BUCKET & LINE BECAME TANGLED IN TREES & THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE FRONT END OF THE LEFT SKID. THE TAILBOOM WAS CHOPPED OFF & THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE. THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING THE FLT, HE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE READING SEEMED TO STAY AT ABOUT 120 LBS, BUT HE DID NOT SUSPECT A PROBLEM, SINCE HE HAD NEVER HAD A PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58261 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1280417D
- Airframe hours: 6273
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Operator: Gradney Helicopters
- Registered owner: Gradney Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 27, 1988, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BPT, 25 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 19881212054029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881212054029A), Dec 12, 1988: Hughes 369D, Kountze, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel spraying trees. Sling load caught in trees causing crash. Low fuel float wire bent on installation.

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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