# NTSB GAA18CA506: Hughes 369, N89ZC, Ridgeway, PA, August 22, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2018, 11:26 local (15:26 UTC) - Place: Ridgeway, PA - Coordinates: 41.401111, -78.561386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4011&lon=-78.5614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98147 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA506 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98147/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98147 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA506 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); 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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: 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) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after a high reconnaissance of the area, he descended the helicopter to about 30 ft above power lines to inspect them while flying about 30 to 35 knots. While patrolling, he climbed over an identified crossing line and then initiated a descent. During the descent, the passenger spotted a previously unseen power line in their flightpath, so the pilot "pulled hard aft cyclic with right pedal," but the main rotor blades struck the power line. The helicopter's main rotor system began vibrating, but the pilot was able to land without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, after a high reconnaissance the helicopter was descended to about 30 ft above the power lines for the powerline inspection, while flying about 30-35 knots. While patrolling, they climbed over an identified crossing line, and then descended back down. During the decent , the passenger spotted a previously unseen power line in their flight path so the pilot "pulled hard aft cyclic with right pedal" but the main rotor blades struck the power line. The helicopter acquired a vibration in the main rotor system, but pilot was able to land without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89ZC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89ZC-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 1098D, built 1981 (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: 1098D - Year built: 1981 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20B turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Rotor Blade LLC - Registered owner: Dah Aircraft Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OYM, St Marys, PA - Destination: OYM, St Marys, PA - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,354 total, 594 in this make and model, 2,263 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KDUJ, 20 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 20180822012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180822012109A), Aug 22, 2018: Hughes 369D, Ridgway, PA, Minor damage. Pilot and general manager were surveying power lines for storm damage for first energy power company. While operating at approximately 80 feet AGL between two… ## Other investigations on N89ZC (3) 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 ERA19FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA118), Mar 5, 2019: Hughes 369 (N89ZC), Talking Rock, GA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A fatigue failure of the overrunning clutch subassembly due to abnormal bending loads due to cracks on the center engine mount, which resulted in an inflight loss of power. Contributing to the… - [NTSB CEN14LA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA398), Jul 29, 2014: Hughes 369D (N89ZC), West Liberty, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power, which resulted from fuel exhaustion due to the pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the fuel quantity during the flight. - [NTSB ERA10LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA053), Nov 6, 2009: Hughes 369 (N89ZC), Baxley, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the main fuel valve position. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98147. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478551&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. --- 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.