# NTSB LAX96TA186: Hughes 369, N5062Q, Yuma, AZ, May 1, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1996, 22:40 local (May 1, 1996, 05:40 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.720577, -114.510002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7206&lon=-114.5100&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 20, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96TA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96TA186

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and/or clearance from obstacles, while maneuvering a low altitude at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness and the lack of visual cues.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was on a night visual surveillance operation in an area that was familiar to him. During a turn to the right at low altitude, the helicopter collided with transmission power lines.  No visual or mechanical problems were reported to have occurred before the accident.

## Factual narrative

On April 30, 1996, at 2240 hours mountain standard time, a Hughes 369 helicopter, N5062Q, collided with some power lines during a night visual operation near Yuma, Arizona.  The helicopter received substantial damage and the pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed and a company VFR flight plan was activated.  The aircraft is owned and operated by the U.S. Border Patrol as a public-use aircraft.

According to the operator, the pilot is experienced in the area and did not report any visual or mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to colliding with the wires.

The pilot stated in his accident report that he was in the beginning of a planned turn to the right at an indicated airspeed between 30 to 40 knots when he heard a loud bang with a momentary ball of fire in the cockpit.  He landed the aircraft, and after inspection, found four severed strands of aluminum power transmission lines lying on the ground next to the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5062Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5062Q-2008-07-08), registration cancelled 2008-07-08, S/N 67-16255 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 369
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HM](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hm) (registry code 4470722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 67-16255
- Airframe hours: 10657
- Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: U.S. Border Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 30, 1996, 7 hours before
- Departed: YUM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 11,623 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 11,451 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19960430034969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960430034969A), Apr 30, 1996: Hughes 369HM, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Public use aircraft collided with wires during night border control flight. Walked away from wreck.

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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