# NTSB LAX87LA157: McDonnell Douglas 369E, N1601Y, Phoenix, AZ, March 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1987, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.679592, -112.089172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6796&lon=-112.0892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, maneuvering
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - autorotation - attempted

## Analysis

DURING FACTORY FLT TRAINING, PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE NEW HELICOPTER TO THE OWNER, THE CFI SAID HE ASKED THE STUDENT TO PERFORM A SERIES OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDED QUICK STOPS FROM AN INITIAL TAKEOFF FOLLOWED BY HOVERING AUTOROTATIONS. THE CFI SAID THE STUDENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ONE SERIES OF MANEUVERS AND HE ASKED HIM TO DO ONE MORE. THE CFI SAID THAT DURING THE DECELERATION PHASE OF THE QUICK STOP, THE STUDENT MISTAKENLY 'ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO THE IDLE POSITION' AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE CFI SAID THAT HE IMMEDIATELY ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND ATTEMPTED TO ENTER AN AUTO ROTATION, HOWEVER, INSUFFICIENT ENERGY REMAINED IN THE ROTOR TO FULLY ARREST THE DESCENT RATE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1601Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1601Y-2023-08-08), registration cancelled 2023-08-08, S/N 0216E (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369E
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e) (registry code 3027369) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0216E
- Airframe hours: 5
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter S. Mcphail
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,530 total, 2,821 in this make and model, 5,162 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT, 7 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 19870319007469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870319007469A), Mar 19, 1987: Hughes 369E, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Practice quick stops to hover. Student rolled throttle back.CFI applied full power but was TO0 late to avoid impact

## Other investigations on N1601Y (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 CEN18LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA365), Sep 3, 2018: MD Helicopters MD-369 (N1601Y), Orchard Lake, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control and terrain clearance while in a hover after performing an evasive maneuver to avoid wildlife.

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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