# NTSB LAX96LA009: Hughes 369HS, N9205F, Hana, HI, October 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 1995, 17:55 local (Oct 12, 1995, 03:55 UTC) - Place: Hana, HI - Coordinates: 20.770824, -155.989379 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.7708&lon=-155.9894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA009 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance inspection of the fuel system which permitted air to enter the engine fuel supply. A factor in the accident was the pilot's improper execution of the autorotation landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system - leak - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING DEPARTURE, UPON REACHING 100 FEET ALTITUDE AND 60 KNOTS AIRSPEED, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN AIRFRAME VIBRATION ACCOMPANIED BY A FUEL FILTER CAUTION LIGHT, ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT AND HORN, AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. IN THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION, A HARD LANDING RESULTED IN THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERING THE TAIL BOOM. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILTER BYPASS SWITCH WHICH PERMITTED AIR TO ENTER THE SUCTION-FED ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM. INSPECTION OF THE SWITCH DISCLOSED LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE MATING FLANGE HALVES DUE TO DETERIORATED SAFETY WIRING. THE LAST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMED 77 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 1995, at 1755 hours Hawaiian standard time, a Hughes 369HS, N9205F, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Hana Airport on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The commercial pilot was not injured, however, his four passengers received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a sightseeing flight by AlexAir under 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported departing from runway 8/26 at midfield. Upon reaching 100 feet altitude at 60 knots, he experienced a lateral vibration he thought was due to rotor imbalance. He had lowered the collective control and slowed for a normal descent when he noted that the fuel filter light had come on. This was followed immediately by the engine failure light and warning horn, and a loss of engine power. The pilot said he then initiated an autorotation back to the runway. He "lowered collective and nosed the helicopter forward to try to get some airspeed for a flare at about 30 feet," however, he was unable to flare and level the helicopter before the tail boom and landing skids impacted at the same time on the runway. The main rotor blades then flexed downward and severed the tailboom. Subsequent examination of the aircraft by inspectors from the FAA's Honolulu Flight Standards District Office revealed that there was a leak in the fuel filter bypass switch which allowed air to enter the suction-fed engine fuel system. The fuel filter bypass switch was manufactured by the R. W. Jenson Company as part number 800175-3 (McDonnell Douglas Helicopter/Hughes P/N 369H8144) circa 1974. The last 100-hour inspection of the aircraft was performed 77 hours prior to the accident. Following the accident the switch was inspected and tested at Spectra-Lux Corporation, who currently manufacture the switch under license. The inspection revealed leakage between the mating flange halves. The leakage was due to deteriorated safety wiring which permitted the machine screws holding the flanges together to loosen. When the screws were tightened, the leakage stopped and the switch functioned to the manufacturers' specifications. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9205F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9205F-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 440583S, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS - Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 440583S - Airframe hours: 7270 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Gerardin Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 26, 1995, 77 hours before - Departed: HNM, HI - Destination: OGG, KAHILUI, HI - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: HNM, Hana, runway 8, 3,605 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,825 total, 1,805 in this make and model, 2,825 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 60° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OGG, 24 nm away ## 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 19951011036109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951011036109A), Oct 11, 1995: Hughes 369HS, Hana, HI, Substantial damage. Vibration fuel filter light. Lost power. Autorotated to hard landing. Fuel filter leak. Air entered. Bad safety wire ## Other investigations on N9205F (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 SEA80DYE14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYE14), Feb 16, 1980: Hughes 369 (N9205F), Redmond, WA, substantial damage 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.