# NTSB FTW91GA001: Mcdonnell Douglas 369E, N381F, Anadarko, OK, October 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1990, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Anadarko, OK
- Coordinates: 35.060512, -98.239723 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0605&lon=-98.2397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91GA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23279/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91GA001

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER VISUAL LOOKOUT PRIOR TO AND DURING DEPARTURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM AN UNIMPROVED HELICOPTER LANDING PAD THE PILOT FAILED TO ASSURE REQUIRED CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES POSITIONED ALONG HIS ROUTE OF DEPARTURE. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A SINGLE ELECTRICAL POWER LINE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE CONTROL RODS BEING SEVERED. A FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED BY REDUCING THE ENGINE POWER, HOWEVER, CONTROLLABILITY WITH COLLECTIVE OR CYCLIC WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND SLIDING RIGHT AND TURNING LEFT RESULTING IN IT ROLLING ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N381F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 369E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0288E
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Oklahoma City
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,269 total, 1,445 in this make and model, 3,083 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 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 19901001043509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901001043509A), Oct 1, 1990: Hughes 369E, Anadarko, OK, Substantial damage. Failed to ascertain clear egress area for departure. Struck powerline and crashed during climbout.

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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