# NTSB LAX85LA117: Hughes 369E, N121JP, Honolulu, HI, January 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1985, 09:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.300876, -157.849777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3009&lon=-157.8498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - miscellaneous - overload
  - miscellaneous - vibration
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE IN FLT OVER WATER AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL & 1/2 MI FROM SHORE, THE PLT SAW A LARGE FLOCK OF WHITE BIRDS. HE REPORTED THAT HE FLARED TO A STOP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE BIRDS. AFTER THE HELICOPTER STRUCK BIRD(S), AN EXTREME VIBRATION DEVELOPED. THE PLT ELECTED TO 'GET DOWN TO THE WATER.'  THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON THE WATER, ROLLED OVER & SANK, BUT THE PLT EGRESSED & SWAM TO SHORE WITHOUT INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N121JP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0085E
- Airframe hours: 85
- Engines: ALLISON C20B-250 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James H. Pflueger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984, 85 hours before
- Destination: HNL, HONOLULU, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 80 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HNL, 16 nm away

## 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 19850121000979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850121000979A), Jan 21, 1985: Hughes 369E, Honolulu, HI, Substantial damage. Collided with flock of large birds. Due to extreme vibration aircraft was ditched in the ocean.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.