# NTSB LAX91LA289: Hughes 369D, N18KJ, Napa, CA, July 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1991, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.54935, -122.15039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5493&lon=-122.1504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA289

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT DECISION TO FLY IN THE BELOW VFR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS MISJUDGED WEATHER EVALUATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 70-HOUR STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT HELD AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE (AIRPLANES).  THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT BETWEEN HIS HOME AND HIS OFFICE.  AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS AWARE THERE WAS A 500 FOOT CEILING AND THE VISIBILITY WAS ONE MILE.  AFTER FLYING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DECREASING VISIBILITY (1/16 MILE) AND GROUND FOG.  THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE AND COLLIDED WITH THE UNDERLYING TERRAIN.  THE ACCIDENT PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD AUTHORIZED THE PILOT TO ONLY FLY THE HELICOPTER IN VFR CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18KJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18KJ-2003-01-31), registration cancelled 2003-01-31, S/N 200649D, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (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: 200649
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Nova Group, Inc
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PETALUMA, CA
- Destination: NAPA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,800 total, 70 in this make and model, 2,565 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm

## 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 19910705026199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910705026199A), Jul 5, 1991: Hughes 369D, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Marginal weather on departure,flew into area dense fog. Made 180 but lost all ground reference and flew into a pond

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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