# NTSB FTW92GA157: Hughes OH-6A, N10436, Sunland Park, NM, June 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1992, 13:06 local (19:06 UTC)
- Place: Sunland Park, NM
- Coordinates: 31.789152, -106.570213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7892&lon=-106.5702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92GA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92GA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - separation
  - rotor system,main rotor blade spar - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING FLOWN ON A U. S. BORDER PATROL SURVEILLANCE MISSION WHEN IT STRUCK TWO STATIC LINES OF A POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.  THE 125 FOOT HIGH LINES WERE STRUNG ACROSS A DRAW AND SUPPORTED BY TOWERS LOCATED ON MOUNTAINS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE DRAW.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WIRE STRIKE PROTECTION SYSTEM AND EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT ONE OF THE STATIC LINES WAS ENGAGED AND CUT BY THE UPPER CUTTER.  HOWEVER, THE EVIDENCE ALSO INDICATED THAT THE SECOND STATIC LINE STRUCK THREE OF THE FOUR BLADES OF THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.  THE BLADES SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTED THE HUB AND THE MAIN TRANSMISSION SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10436](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10436-1993-03-25), registration cancelled 1993-03-25, S/N 6716318 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES OH-6A
- Registry model: [Hughes OH-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-oh-6) (registry code 4470904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 02731
- Airframe hours: 11684
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: U. S. Border Patrol
- Registered owner: U. S. Border Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 10, 1992, 7 hours before
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: ELP
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,146 total, 2,203 in this make and model, 12,146 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 15 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 19920613020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920613020059A), Jun 13, 1992: Hughes OH6A, Sunland Park, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On border patrol collided with powerline while flying through a draw. Crashed inverted.

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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