# NTSB LAX90LA033: McDonnell Douglas 369, N1097G, Barstow, CA, November 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1989, 09:19 local (17:19 UTC)
- Place: Barstow, CA
- Location: 34.8986° N, 117.0228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Barstow, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8986&lon=-117.0228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA033

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS DELAY IN JETTISONING THE LOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, hover
  - external load sling/harness - entangled (cause)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT BEGAN THE EXTERNAL SLING LOAD OPERATION-STRINGING WIRE CONDUCTORS - ABT 1 HR AND 15 MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER FLYING 1 HR AND 5 MIN THE PILOT LANDED AND REFUELED THE HELICOPTER AT A LANDING AREA 2 MI WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. AFTER REFUELING HE DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLT. VIDEO TAPE SHOWED THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO HOVER OVER THE TRANSMISSION STANCHION WITH THE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO THE LONG LINE. THE CONDUCTOR BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE STANCHION'S CROSS BAR AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO CLIMB WITH THE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED AND ENTANGLED WITH THE CROSSBAR. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE LEFT IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1097G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1097G-1990-10-29), registration cancelled 1990-10-29, S/N 800757D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 800757D
- Airframe hours: 3350
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Helicopters International
- Registered owner: Helicopter International
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1989, 64 hours before
- Departed: NONE, FREEMANS JUNC., CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 572 total, 400 in this make and model, 89 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19891117045899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891117045899A), Nov 17, 1989: Hughes 369D, Barstow, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While stringing wire, long line and load tangled in powerline crossbar, causing loss of control and spin to ground.

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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