# NTSB FTW96LA054: Hughes 369HS, N8312F, Leakey, TX, November 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 27, 1995, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Leakey, TX - Coordinates: 29.720726, -99.760665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7207&lon=-99.7607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19716 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19716/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA054 ## Probable cause improper planning/decision by the pilot, by failing to ensure there was adequate fuel on board, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent roll-over during a forced landing on hilly terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: downsloping terrain in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Roll over, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter had been operating for 1-1/2 hours before the accident flight, transporting fencing materials to the top of a hill. Before lift-off on the last trip to the top of the hill, the pilot estimated there was 50 pounds of fuel on board. As the helicopter climbed towards the hilltop, the engine 'flamed out.' The pilot made a right pedal turn and autorotated. The helicopter touched down on the hill, rolled over, and slid downhill. The engine was later functionally tested, and it operated normally with no discrepancies noted. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 1995, approximately 1000 central standard time, a Hughes 369HS, N8312F, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while descending near Leakey, Texas. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a flight plan was not filed for the business flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated near Leakey, Texas, on November 27, 1995, and had flown for approximately 5 minutes. The following is based on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. The pilot had been transporting fencing materials to the top of a 300-foot hill. On the last flight of the day, the cargo consisted of two bags of cement that weighed 98 pounds each. Up to that point, the helicopter had flown 1-1/2 hours. When the helicopter was halfway up the hill and 100 feet above the ground, the engine "flamed out." The pilot made a right pedal turn and initiated an autorotation. The helicopter collided with the hill, nosed over, and slid downhill. He told an FAA inspector that he had 50 pounds of fuel on board prior to the last takeoff. The pilot reported that "just before the engine lost power, it was developing 45 percent torque and the fuel boost pump was off." The pilot said he was paid $525 per hour for his services and the use of the helicopter. According to FAA records, Holt Helicopters, Inc., does not hold an air carrier operating certificate to conduct for-hire operations under Title 14 CFR Part 135. In addition, according to Federal Aviation Regulations, his second class medical certificate, dated May 5, 1994, is valid for 12 months when conducting commercial operations. The engine was later functionally tested at an authorized engine maintenance facility. The engine operated normally with no discrepancies noted (report attached). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8312F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8312F-2020-07-27), registration cancelled 2020-07-27, S/N 460809S, built 1976 (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: 460809S - Airframe hours: 9290 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Holt Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 2, 1995, 29 hours before - Departed: NONE, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 11,852 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 11,600 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19951127038979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951127038979A), Nov 27, 1995: Hughes 369HS, Leakey, TX, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out on climb with 2 bags of cement. Autorotated. Landed hillside. Rolled and slid downhill. Out of fu 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.