# NTSB LAX85FJA03: Hughes 369D, N58395, Hilo, HI, February 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1985, 16:50 local (Feb 15, 1985, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Coordinates: 21.460746, -158.059448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.4607&lon=-158.0594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FJA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FJA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - other (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER TAIL BOOM WAS DAMAGED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES DURING A FORCED AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 4500 FT MSL, THE ENG N2 DROPPED TO 92% AND APRX 15 SECONDS LATER, THE ENG FLAMED OUT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE HELICOPTER WAS FUELED WITH AVGAS INSTEAD OF TURBINE FUEL JUST PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ENG OPERATING MANUAL APPROVES OF THIS FUEL SUBSTITUTION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, HOWEVER, IT ADVISED THAT WHEN AVGAS IS USED, THE FUEL BOOST PUMP MUST BE LEFT ON. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RECALL WHETHER OR NOT THE PUMP WAS ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58395](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58395-1988-06-23), registration cancelled 1988-06-23, S/N 890563D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D (369-D)
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 890563D
- Airframe hours: 18375
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 4398 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Sunair Copters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ryo Partners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1985, 52 hours before
- Departed: ITO, HILO, HI
- Destination: OGG, KAHULUI, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,345 total, 4,820 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850214005859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850214005859A), Feb 14, 1985: Hughes 369D, Hilo, HI, Substantial damage. Used aviation gas as emergency fuel. Did not leave boost pump on. Engine quit, landed, main rotor hit tail boom.

## Other investigations on N58395 (1)

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 LAX86LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA043), Nov 19, 1985: Hughes 369D (N58395), Kunia, Oahu, HI, 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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