# NTSB LAX87LA099: Hughes 369D, N1107N, Lemon Cove, CA, January 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1987, 07:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Lemon Cove, CA
- Coordinates: 36.460235, -118.979049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4602&lon=-118.9790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA099

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - turboshaft engine - previous damage (cause)
  - maintenance - improper (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE AT 100 TO 150 FT AGL ON AN APCH TO LAND, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THOUGH IT HAD FLAMED OUT. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE HELIPAD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED IN TREES & WAS BADLY DMGD. DRG THE INVESTIGATION, THE ENG WAS REMOVED FM THE AIRFRAME & OPERATIONALLY CHECKED, BUT NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE PWR LOSS. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENG REVEALED SVRL DISCREPANCIES, BUT NONE OF WHICH WOULD HAVE SINGULARLY RESULTED IN A FLAME-OUT. AN EXAM OF THE ENG'S INTERNAL COMBUSTION LINER REVEALED AN OVERTEMP BLISTER, CRACKS ON THE FLANGE & NON- APPROVED WELDS; A REQD MOD OF THE LINER WASN'T COMPLETED. THE IGNITER & FUEL NOZZLE MOUNTING PAD ON THE OUTER COMBUSTIONLINER WAS SLIGHTLY DISPLACED (.009' FM PERPENDICULAR), RESULTING IN A SLIGHT DISPLACEMENT OF THE FLAME PATTERN INSIDE THE INNER LINER. THE #1 PWR TURBINE NOZZLE WAS BURNED, CRACKED & ERODED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ENG HAD EXPERIENCED 1 OR MORE OVERTEMP CONDS, POSSIBLY FM HOT STARTS, HI PWR LVLS OR LACK OF COOLING BFR ENG SHUTDOWNS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1107N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1107N), registered now, S/N 210902D, built 1981 (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 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 210902D
- Airframe hours: 1123
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cairns, Dave
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1986, 35 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 585 total, 496 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °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 19870118082129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870118082129A), Jan 18, 1987: Hughes 369D, Lemon Grove, CA, Substantial damage. Engine flameout at low altitude. Hit trees on landing. No anti ice in fuel. Poorly maintained aircraft.

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.