# NTSB LAX94LA241: Hughes 369D, N4943T, Kaneohe, HI, June 7, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 1994, 16:50 local (Jun 7, 1994, 02:50 UTC) - Place: Kaneohe, HI - Coordinates: 21.410074, -157.789855 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.4101&lon=-157.7899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA241 ## Probable cause the operator's and pilot's failure to ensure that the cargo net containing empty paper bags was sufficiently ballasted to prevent it from flying up into the tail rotor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, company/operator management (cause) - external load sling/harness - entangled - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command - Hard landing, descent - emergency ## Analysis The pilot said the helicopter was lifting construction supplies to a power line tower in a mountainous area above the staging area. On the accident flight segment, the helicopter had delivered a load of dry cement in a cargo net and was returning with the empty paper bags in the cargo net. As the helicopter established a 20-foot hover at the staging area, the net flew upward into the tail rotor. The tail rotor assembly and gear box separated from the tail boom and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot lowered the collective to initiate an autorotation and the helicopter landed hard. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 1994, at 1650 Hawaii standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N4943T, landed hard from an autorotation following loss of the tail rotor near Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii. The aircraft, owned and operated by Cherry Helicopters, Inc., of Kahuku, Hawaii, was engaged in external load operations under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 133 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Honolulu International Airport on the day of the accident at 1555. In his written and oral statements, the pilot said the helicopter was lifting construction supplies to a power line tower in a mountainous area above the staging area. On the accident flight segment, the helicopter had delivered a load of dry cement in a cargo net and was returning with the empty paper bags in the cargo net. As the helicopter established a 20-foot hover at the staging area, the net flew upward into the tail rotor. The tail rotor assembly and gear box separated from the tail boom and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot lowered the collective to initiate an autorotation and the helicopter landed hard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4943T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4943T-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 1190614D, built 1979 (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: 1190614D - Airframe hours: 2189 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Operator: Cherry Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Cherry Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1994, 43 hours before - Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,300 total, 5,700 in this make and model, 56 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 15 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940606013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940606013959A), Jun 6, 1994: Hughes 369D, Kaneoheoahu, HI, Substantial damage. During hover to unload paper bags in cargo net on long line. Bags blown up into tail rotor. Tail rotor separated. ## Other investigations on N4943T (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 LAX88LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA179), May 13, 1988: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N4943T), Waialua, HI, destroyed. Probable cause: FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE MANUFACTURE FOR UNCOMMANDED TRIM INPUTS AND HIS DECISION TO MAKE A HOVER APPROACH TO LANDING. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.