# NTSB MIA87LA106: Hughes 364HS, N4507C, Opa Locka, FL, March 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1987, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Opa Locka, FL
- Coordinates: 26.239746, -80.270744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2397&lon=-80.2707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS EXECUTING A NORMAL APPROACH TO THE GROUND WHEN AS HE NEARED THE GROUND THE VENTRAL FIN STRUCK THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT RE-CENTERED AND THE PILOT THOUGHT THE ACCOMPANYING SHUDDER WAS A TAIL ROTOR FAILURE, AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER HARD WITH FORWARD GROUND SPEED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ROCKED FORWARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES THEN SLAPPED THE TAILBOOM AS THE AIRCRAFT ROCKED BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4507C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4507C-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 450733S, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 364HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4507335
- Airframe hours: 2778
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cruz Management Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1986, 59 hours before
- Airport: OPE, Opa Locka

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,934 total, 494 in this make and model, 255 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF, 1 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 19870312005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870312005829A), Mar 12, 1987: Hughes 369HS, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. The helicopter lost tail rotor control and impacted the ramp. AD not complied with and untagged surplus parts used

## Other investigations on N4507C (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 DEN84LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA075), Jan 27, 1984: Hughes 369HS (N4507C), Buffalo, WY, 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.

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