# NTSB LAX83LA159: Hughes 369D, N9589F, Rancho Bernardo, CA, March 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1983, 10:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: Rancho Bernardo, CA
- Coordinates: 32.989654, -117.069549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9897&lon=-117.0695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS ABOUT 10 FT AGL IN A HOVER, WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND AT 5, GUSTING 10 KTS, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED A LEFT PEDAL TURN. HE SAID THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT & ADDITIONAL LEFT PEDAL APPLICATION HAD NO EFFECT. HE ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF & ATTEMPTED TO LAND, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TURNING TO THE RIGHT & CRASHED. HE REMEMBERED HEARING THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN, BUT DID NOT REMEMBER SEEING THE LOW RPM LIGHT. ALSO, HE DID NOT RECALL HEARING ANY UNUSUAL NOISES OR FEELING ANY UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS BEFORE IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER & DAMAGED PARTS WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENG; AIRFRAME OR FLT CONTROL SYS WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9589F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1170229D
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Snoopy Aero, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,585 total, 113 in this make and model, 2,398 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830325012519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830325012519A), Mar 25, 1983: Hughes 369D, Rancho Bernardo, CA, Substantial damage. Tail rotor drive shaft failed when tail rotors struck the ground during hover prior to 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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