# NTSB LAX84LA078: Hughes 369D, N1112B, Caliente, CA, November 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1983, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Caliente, CA
- Coordinates: 35.400039, -118.509414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4000&lon=-118.5094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - instructions,written/verbal - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - other (cause)
  - interpretation of instructions - improper, ground personnel (cause)
  - rotor drive system - foreign object damage (cause)
  - rotor drive system - overload
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

REPORTLY, THE PLT HAD INSTRUCTED THE GROUND CREW TO PLACE THE EXTERNAL CABLE\SLINGS IN THE CARGO AREA OF THE HELICOPTER. HOWEVER, THEY CONNECTED THE CABLE TO THE EXTERNAL HOOK. THE PLT WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS & TOOK OFF. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE CABLE HIT THE TAIL ROTOR & BECAME WRAPPED AROUND THE AFT SECTION OF THE HELICOPTER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AFTER TAKING OFF, BUT AT 1ST, EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, WHILE DESCENDING, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO YAW. HE TRIED TO FLY THE HELICOPTER AWAY FROM A TREE LINE. HOWEVER, HE LOST CONTROL, THE CRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED INTO A CLEARING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1112B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 610969D
- Airframe hours: 696
- Engines: Allison C-20B 425 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: San Joaquine Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 13, 1983, 97 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,641 total, 500 in this make and model, 9,641 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °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 19831127058759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831127058759A), Nov 27, 1983: Hughes 369D, Caliente, CA, Destroyed. Ground crew put sling on hook instead of in helicopter as pilot indicated. Fouled tail rotor. Caused a crash.

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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