# NTSB MIA92FA142: Hughes 369HS, N9089F, Labelle, FL, June 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1992, 11:04 local (16:04 UTC)
- Place: Labelle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.640562, -81.339447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6406&lon=-81.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER APPLICATION OF COLLECTIVE PITCH DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM AND IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES AND THE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED ON A VFR FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER AT ABOUT 600 FEET AGL DESCENDING IN AN AUTOROTATION WITH A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT, FORWARD AIRSPEED, WITH THE NOSE PITCHED UP ABOUT 45 DEGREES BEFORE THE HELICOPTER DISAPPEARED BELOW THE TREE LINE. EXAMINATION OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN  PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 45-DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION. THE DECEASED PILOT'S SON STATED THE FATHER WOULD ALLOW THE HELICOPTER TO SIT AT THE HOUSE WITHOUT A FULL TANK OF FUEL, AND THAT HIS FATHER WOULD NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMP AS A PART OF HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9089F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9089F-2021-03-26), registration cancelled 2021-03-26, S/N 1010346S, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1010346S
- Airframe hours: 7202
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18C 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rotorcraft Charter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rotorcraft Charter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1991, 176 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,800 total, 625 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 200° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 21 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 19920626022039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920626022039A), Jun 26, 1992: Hughes 369HS, Labelle, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into trees during autorotation. Water dirt and frogs in fuel tanks. Report did not drain sumps on preflight

## Other investigations on N9089F (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 FTW97LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA079), Jan 7, 1997: Hughes 369HS (N9089F), Wellington, CO, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft and his improper autorotation technique that induced the roll and subsequent ground collision. A factor was his lack of recurrent training.

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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