# NTSB FTW90LA090: Hughes H500C, N9128F, Houston, TX, April 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1990, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.650529, -95.280227 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6505&lon=-95.2802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA090

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDERTEMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT MISJUDGING THE FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE TURBINE ENGINE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN HE SMELLED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS BURNING OIL. THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT A FEW SECONDS LATER. AN AUTOROTATIONAL DESCENT WAS ACCOMPLISHED TO AN OPEN SCHOOL YARD. DURING THE FLARE/TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT MISJUDGED AND A HARD LANDING OCCURRED RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE TAILBOOM WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9128F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9128F-1996-01-09), registration cancelled 1996-01-09, S/N 720398S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes H500C
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 720398S
- Airframe hours: 1583
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 410 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mark R. Lancaster
- Registered owner: Lancaster, Mark
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 9, 1990
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: HOU, Houston Hobby

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,275 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 3 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 19900403007499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900403007499A), Apr 3, 1990: Hughes 369HS, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power, autorotated to hard landing. Found fuel valve leaking and loose b nuts also bogus fuel control unit.

## Other investigations on N9128F (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 LAX95LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA063), Dec 29, 1994: McDonnell Douglas 500 (N9128F), Chuuk Island (Pacific Ocean), destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: undetermined.

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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