# NTSB LAX96TA187: Hughes 369, N5184C, Yuma, AZ, May 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: May 2, 1996, 10:22 local (17:22 UTC) - Place: Yuma, AZ - Coordinates: 32.719276, -114.510169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7193&lon=-114.5102&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96TA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96TA187 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering close to the ground. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - inadvertent, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was proceeding eastbound about 50 feet above ground level, when something on the ground got his attention. He initiated a left turn, then started a sweeping right turn to position the helicopter for a better obversation of tracks on the ground. The wind at that time was estimated to be variable from southeast to the south-southwest at 20 mph with gusts to 25 to 30 mph. The pilot reported that during the last stage of the right turn, he lost control of the helicopter, and it collided with the ground. The pilot remembered that the helicopter fishtailed and porpoised before it impacted. Also, there was no reported mechanical problem before the accident, nor was the rotor rpm determined before impact. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1996, at 1022 hours mountain standard time, a Hughes 369 helicopter, N5184C, collided with the terrain near Yuma, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft is owned and operated by the U.S. Border Patrol and was on a local surveillance operation. According to the pilot, he was flying slowly in an eastward direction about 50 feet above the ground when he saw something on the ground. He initiated a left turn then started a right turn to position the aircraft to better observe the tracks on the ground. The wind was about 20 mph, fluctuating from the southeast to the south-southwest with gusts of 25 to 30 mph. He remembers being in the last phase of the downwind turn to the right when the aircraft began fishtailing, the tailboom porpoising, and then striking the ground. He stated he lost control during the last stage of the turn and crashed on the right side. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5184C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5184C-1996-10-31), registration cancelled 1996-10-31, S/N 6915977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369 - Registry model: [Hughes OH-6](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-oh-6) (registry code 4470904) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 69-15977 - Engines: Allison 250-C20-B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: U.S. Border Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: YUM - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,840 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 6,770 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °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 19960502034979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960502034979A), May 2, 1996: Hughes 369, Yuma, AZ, Destroyed. Us border patrol helicopter lost control in a turn at slow speed low altitude in high wind and turbulence. Crashed. 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.