# NTSB LAX90FA248: McDonnell Douglas 369HS, N505WW, Modesto, CA, July 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1990, 09:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Location: 37.6391° N, 120.9969° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Modesto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6391&lon=-120.9969&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA248

## Probable cause

IN-FLIGHT ENGINE FIRE OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise
  - engine compartment - fire
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - separation

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGERS DETECTED THE ODOR OF SMOKE AS THE HELICOPTER CIRCLED WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT ENTERED A PRECAUTIONARY APPROACH AND LANDED IN A VACANT PASTURE. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND THE IN-FLIGHT FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT'S CABIN/ENGINE SECTION. GROUND WITNESSES CONFIRMED THAT AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE ERUPTED PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N505WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N505WW-1990-12-10), registration cancelled 1990-12-10, S/N 150698S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 150698S
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Heath, doing business as Sunrise Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,397 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,122 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MOD, 6 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 19900709024899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900709024899A), Jul 9, 1990: Hughes 369HS, Modesto, CA, Destroyed. Fire erupted in engine at cruise. Autorotaed to hard landing. Helicopter burned. Source of fire not determined.

## Other investigations on N505WW (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 ATL85LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA031), Nov 9, 1984: Hughes 369HS (N505WW), Hogansville, GA, minor damage

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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