# NTSB LAX85LA112: Hughes 369D, N58399, Kahului,Maui, HI, January 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1985, 10:41 local (20:41 UTC)
- Place: Kahului,Maui, HI
- Coordinates: 20.870378, -156.44934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8704&lon=-156.4493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA112

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - warning system(other) - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, ABOUT 1.4 HOURS INTO A LOCAL PHOTO FLT, THE FUEL GAGE SHOWED 125 POUNDS AND HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT FOR MORE FUEL. WITH THE FUEL GAGE SHOWING JUST UNDER 100 POUNDS, ENGINE FLAMED OUT ON APPROACH TO THE ARPT AND PLT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION TO A ROCKY CLEAR AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THAT BOTH THE GAGE AND WARNING LIGHT INDICATED HIGHER QUANTITIES THAN ARE ACTUALLY IN THE FUEL TANK. THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY DURING THE PREFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58399 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 890565D
- Airframe hours: 1885
- Engines: ALLISON C20B-250 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: M&H Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 3, 1985, 553 hours before
- Departed: 0GG, KAHULUI, HI
- Airport: 00G, Kahului

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 755 in this make and model, 3,275 as pilot in command, 275 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGG

## 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 19850116048859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850116048859A), Jan 16, 1985: Hughes 369D, Kahului Maui, HI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach. Struck rock during autorotation slide. Fuel warning light and gauges malfunctioned.

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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