# NTSB LAX84LA314: Hughes 369D, N211EH, Honolulu, HI, May 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1984, 13:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Location: 21.3178° N, 157.9203° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DANIEL K INOUYE INTL (HNL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3178&lon=-157.9203&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): 24281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA314

## 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
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade abrasion strip - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade abrasion strip - separation (cause)
  - autorotation - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - material defect, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A TAIL ROTOR FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT ON A VFR LOCAL SLING LOADING FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT, 'AT APPROX 500 FT ASL ON CLIMB OUT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN, SEVERE VIBRATION. MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO RETURN TO AIRPORT & STARTED A RAPID DESCENT. AT ABOUT 200 FT TURNED BACK INTO WIND FOR AUTOROTATION LANDING TO TAXI-WAY H. HAD NO TAIL ROTOR CONTROL AT THIS POINT SO ELECTED TO MAKE A RUNNING LANDING ON TAXIWAY.' INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN INFLT FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR AFTER THE LEADING EDGE ABRASION STRIP HAD BECOME DE- TACHED. EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A COHESIVE FAILURE THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211EH-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 380288D, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 380288D
- Airframe hours: 2175
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Royal Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Airport: HNL, Honolulu Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,650 total, 1,308 in this make and model, 96 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HNL

## 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 19840525075759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840525075759A), May 25, 1984: Hughes 369D, Honolulu, HI, Substantial damage. Tail rotor abrasion strip detatched, failing tail rotor blades, hub assembly drive fork bolt and gear box.

## Other investigations on N211EH (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX85LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA116), Jan 19, 1985: Hughes 369D (N211EH), Makakilo, HI, destroyed
- [NTSB ANC81FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA055), May 25, 1981: Hughes 369D (N211EH), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage

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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