# NTSB LAX88LA025: Mcdonnell Douglas 369D, N47861, Borrego Springs, CA, October 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1987, 16:00 local (Oct 27, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Borrego Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.170032, -116.269073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1700&lon=-116.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - lubricating system - starvation (cause)
  - turbine assembly,shaft bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - collapsed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN LOOKING FOR BIG HORN SHEEP. THIRTY MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE TAIL YAWED LEFT. THE PILOT TURNED AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAND. THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. BECAUSE IT WAS NECESSARY TO STRETCH THE GLIDE TO REACH THE ONLY AVAILABLE LANDING SPACE, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ROTOR SPEED REMAINING TO CUSHION THE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, BREAKING THE RIGHT LANDING SKID AND ROLLING OVER ONTO ITS SIDE. EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE NO. 6 & 7 BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAILED DUE TO OIL STARVATION. THE REASON FOR THE OIL STARVATION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47861](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47861-1998-06-10), registration cancelled 1998-06-10, S/N 310915D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 310915D
- Airframe hours: 2165
- Engines: ALLISON 250-L20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Skydance Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 22, 1987, 96 hours before
- Departed: DESERT SPRINGS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 70 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 19871026082849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871026082849A), Oct 26, 1987: Hughes 369D, Borrego Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power, forced landed in mountainous terrain. Landed hard and rolled over. Engine bearing had failed.

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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