# NTSB LAX90LA191: Hughes 369FF, N530R, Madera, CA, May 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1990, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.909164, -120.189277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9092&lon=-120.1893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA191

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT WHEN HE TURNED DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT TO AVOID OBSTACLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, hover
  - turboshaft engine - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER DURING AN OUT OF GROUND EFFECT (OGE) HOVER, AUTOROTATED TO A CULTIVATED FIELD, AND ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. THE HELICOPTER HOVERED AT 110 FEET PREPARING TO HOOK UP AN EXTERNAL LOAD. THE PILOT HEARD A 'WHOOSH' SOUND AND ENTERED AUTOROTATION WITH TURN. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 180 DEGREES DUE TO OBSTACLES AND AUTOROTATED INTO A SOFT PLOWED FIELD. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE HELICOPTER THEN PITCHED TAIL UP ALLOWING THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR DISK TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. EXAMINATION OF THE MAINTENANCE AND FLIGHT DEPARTMENT RECORDS REVEALED NO UNRESOLVED MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES AGAINST THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER ENGINE WAS EXAMINED. THE ENGINE WAS PLACED IN A TEST CELL AND WAS RUN IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUEL FLOW CONFIGURATIONS. THERE WERE NO DEFICIENCIES NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N530R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369FF
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0005F
- Airframe hours: 2319
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Rogers Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Roger'S Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,416 total, 1,159 in this make and model, 7,021 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900524017309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900524017309A), May 24, 1990: Hughes 369FF, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power in hover preparing to hookup long line. Autorotated. Rolled on landing. Engine ran normal in test cell.

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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