# NTSB LAX83LA370: Hughes 369HS, N9142F, Tehachapi, CA, August 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1983, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Tehachapi, CA
- Coordinates: 35.120021, -118.509948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1200&lon=-118.5099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA370
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA370

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE ROTOR RPM DECREASED & THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER SKIDDED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PICKUP TRUCK. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER DID NOT REVEAL ANY PREIMPACT DISCREPANCIES WHICH WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9142F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 330460S
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 350 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alfred Letcher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1982
- Airport: TSP, Tehachapi Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,150 total, 83 in this make and model, 6,040 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19830801075869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830801075869A), Aug 1, 1983: Hughes 369HS, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot failed to maintain rotor speed during landing. The helicopter landed hard and skidded into a truck.

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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