# NTSB LAX92GA347: Hughes 369D, N58425, Maxwell, CA, August 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Maxwell, CA
- Coordinates: 39.309291, -122.169799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3093&lon=-122.1698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92GA347
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92GA347

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK, AND FAILURE OF THE COMPANY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRAINING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE COMPANY SUPERVISION DURING THE OPERATION, AND INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE BY THE FAA WHICH FAILED TO DETECT THE INADEQUATE TRAINING OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, other
  - object - tower
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command
  - inadequate training, company/operator management (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POWERLINE TRANSMISSION TOWER WHILE TOWING CABLE ATTACHED BY MEANS OF A CARGO HOOK. THE HELICOPTER WAS MOVING LATERALLY TOWARD THE TOWER WHEN IT HIT THE TOWER WITH THE M/R BLADES. THE BLADE TIP WEIGHT SEPARATED AND PENETRATED THE TAIL BOOM IN TWO PLACES, DAMAGING THE T/R DRIVE SHAFT. THE HELICOPTER SPUN TWICE TO THE RIGHT IN A SLOW DESCENT TETHERED BY THE STEEL CABLE. DURING THE SECOND TURN, PARTS OF THE T/R SEPARATED. WITNESSES DID NOT OBSERVE THE CABLE BEING JETTISONED. THE PILOT WAS NEWLY HIRED, AND DID NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR CLASS C EXTERNAL LOAD EXPERIENCE. HE HAD RECEIVED TRAINING BY THE COMPANY CHIEF PILOT, WHO THEN LEFT THE COMPANY 3 DAYS AFTER THE PILOT WAS HIRED, LEAVING THE PILOT TO WORK ALONE. THE FAA OFFICE HOLDING THE OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE CHIEF PILOT'S DEPARTURE. THE OFFICE DID NOT, NOR WAS IT REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY THE LOCAL FAA DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE OPERATOR'S EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS WITHIN THAT OFFICE'S GEOGRAPHIC RESPONSIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58425](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58425-1993-01-28), registration cancelled 1993-01-28, S/N 1090591D (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1090 591 D
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Colorado Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Colorado Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 1992

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,152 total, 181 in this make and model, 4,031 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 104 °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 19920812031189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812031189A), Aug 12, 1992: Hughes 369D, Maxwell, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Main rotors struck powerline tower while engaged in stringing power cabe between tower. Lacked proper training.

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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