# NTSB GAA18CA249: Hughes 369, N175JL, Newark, OH, April 29, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 29, 2018, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Newark, OH
- Coordinates: 40.130001, -82.29 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1300&lon=-82.2900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97165/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97165
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA249

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from transmission power wires, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The chief pilot reported that, while the pilot was working on transmission power wires, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter closer to the wires to give a better position for the other crewmember. He added that the pilot heard a noise and felt a vibration from the tail section. The pilot moved away from the wires, noticed no abnormality of flight, and returned to the landing zone without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor. The chief pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The Chief Pilot reported that, while working on transmission power wires, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter closer to the wires to give a better position for the other crew member. He added that the pilot heard a noise and felt a vibration from the tail section. The pilot moved away from the wires, noticed no abnormality of flight, and returned to the landing zone without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor. The Chief Pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N175JL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N175JL), registered now, S/N 270076D, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369 (D)
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 270076D
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 10969.9
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 133
- Operator: Haverfield International Inc
- Registered owner: Haverfield International Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 2018
- Departed: VTA, NEWARK, OH
- Destination: Newark, OH
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 13, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,540 total, 3,760 in this make and model, 4,340 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 119 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: KVTA, 10 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).

- [Incident 20180429022289I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180429022289I), Apr 29, 2018: Hughes 369D, Newark, OH, Minor damage. On 4/29/2018, at approximately 11 :35 am, pilot in command (PIC} and lineman (seated to the pilot's left on work platform) departed the landing zone, located…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97165. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF

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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