# NTSB LAX81FA076: Hughes 369D, N8610F, Las Vegas, NV, April 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 20, 1981
- Place: Las Vegas, NV · LAS VEGAS, NV
- Location: 36.1750° N, 115.1372° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Las Vegas, NV, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1750&lon=-115.1372&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA076
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA076

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1133  81/4/20  NR.LAS VEGAS,NV       HUGHES 369D         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 36, 3985
        TIME - 1450                    N8610F              PX-  0  0  2  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 1005 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         LAS VEGAS,NV                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY: CASTING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
           POWERPLANT - COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY: STATOR VANE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLASTIC COATING IN COMPRESSOR ERODED,EXPOSING STATOR VANE ROOTS.3RD/4TH STAGE STATOR BLADES FAILED
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8610F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810420017349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810420017349A), Apr 20, 1981: Hughes 369D, Las Vegas, NV, Destroyed. Engine failed as helicopter was approaching for landing. Pilot unable to make successful emergency landing.

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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