# NTSB IAD80FA003: Hughes 369HS, N9076F, Mt Crawford, VA, October 4, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 4, 1979
- Place: Mt Crawford, VA · MT CRAWFORD, VA
- Location: 38.3624° N, 78.9416° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Crawford, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3624&lon=-78.9416&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD80FA003
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80FA003

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3441   79/10/4   MT CRAWFORD,VA      HUGHES 369HS        CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 2997
        TIME - 1550                    N9076F              PX-  2  0  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 10 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SHENANDOAH VALLEY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LURAY CAVERN,VA             WEYERS CAVE,VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TAIL BOOM SEVERED IN FLIGHT BY MAIN ROTOR BLADES.PLT DECAYED ROTOR RPM TRYING TO STRETCH GLIDE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9076F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Shenandoah Valley

## 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 19791004043669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791004043669A), Oct 4, 1979: Hughes 369HS, Mount Crawford, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Witness observed low flying helicopter then parts flew off same, then crashed. No mechanical defects.

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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