# NTSB LAX83FA420: Hughes 369HS, N8500N, Ventura, CA, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 03:15 local (10:15 UTC)
- Place: Ventura, CA
- Coordinates: 34.330738, -119.309738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3307&lon=-119.3097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA420
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA420

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING 'STRAIGHT DOWN' & 'NOSE FIRST.' THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 200 YDS OFFSHORE IN ABOUT 30 FT OF WATER. WITNESSES STATED THAT IT WAS DARK & HAZY. THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE THE ACFT LIGHTS, BUT NOT THE STARS. THE PLT DID NOT HOLD A ROTORCRAFT HELICOPTER RATING. ACCORDING TO ACQUAINTANCES, THE NIGHT OVER-WATER FLIGHT WAS HABITUAL FOR THE PLT, WHO FLEW BETWEEN HIS TWO BUSINESSES IN VENTURA, CA & GOLETA, CA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8500N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8500N-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 1000263S, built 1970 (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-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1000263S
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jaime Font & Mbk,Inc.
- Registered owner: Mbk, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1982
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NTD, 19 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 19830904045719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904045719A), Sep 4, 1983: Hughes 369HS, Ventura, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed into ocean offshore in dark night. No mechanical defects. Pilot not rated in helicopters.

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.