# NTSB FTW90LA095: Hughes 369HS, N9138F, Junction, TX, April 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1990, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Junction, TX
- Coordinates: 30.480047, -99.770538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4800&lon=-99.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA095

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE EXECUTION OF THE AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING A ENGINE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED FROM HIS FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE PROPER GRADE OF FUEL WHEN HE RAN SHORT DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - improper
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE FLAMEOUT AND AUTOROTATION. THE PILOT HAD FLIGHT PLANNED THE FERRY FLIGHT FOR A DISTANCE OF 162 NM INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL 258 NM. NO WEATHER BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. DURING THE FLIGHT HE ENCOUNTERED FOG AND LOW CEILINGS WHICH REQUIRED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. AFTER THE FOG CLEARED, HE TOOK OFF, FLEW AROUND FOR 20 MINUTES, AND PROCEEDED ON COURSE. HOWEVER, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED HEAD WINDS AND WAS FORCED TO STOP AND ADD FUEL AT LOCAL RANCHES TWICE. AT THE FIRST, HE FUELED WITH A MIXTURE OF DIESEL AND AUTOGAS AND AT THE SECOND HE FUELED WITH AUTOGAS ONLY. AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE SECOND REFUELING SITE, THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT AT ABOUT 200' AGL. FUEL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE AIRCRAFT WERE FOUND TO BE 10% JET-A AND 90% AUTOGAS, NOT THE 2:1 RATIO OF JET-A AUTOGAS SPECIFIED IN THE ENGINE MAINTENANCE MANUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9138F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9138F-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 330458S, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (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: 330458S
- Airframe hours: 10242
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 460 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Neveri, Inc.
- Registered owner: Neveri Fishing Co., Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 9, 1990, 38 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: JCT, JUNCTION, TX
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,081 total, 1,907 in this make and model, 2,026 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## Other investigations on N9138F (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 ANC77FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77FA086), Sep 2, 1977: Hughes 369HS (N9138F), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage

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.