# NTSB MIA93LA055: Hughes 369D, N6612C, Pascagoula, MS, January 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1993, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Pascagoula, MS
- Coordinates: 30.359783, -88.540771 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3598&lon=-88.5408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA055

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETECTED FOREIGN MATTER CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FUEL CONTROL. THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA WAS A FACOTR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel injection control/system - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS ABOUT 4 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT AT 300 FEET WHEN THE HELICOPTER YAWED AND THE ENGINE OUT LIGHT AND AUDIO WARNINGS CAME ON. HE THEN NOTICED THE AUTO REIGNITION LIGHT ON. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE HELICOPTER WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. HE INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED THROUGH TREES AND COLLIDED WITH WATER. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ON TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND FILLED WITH WATER. THE CREW EXITED THE HELICOPTER. AFTER SPENDING 1 DAY AT THE CRASH SITE AWAITING RESCUE THE CREW WALKED TO SAFETY. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THE REASON FOR POWER LOSS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THE FUEL CONTROL INLET SCREEN WAS CLOGGED WITH METAL CONTAMINATION AND WAS BYPASSING THE FILTER. NO OTHER EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THE REASON FOR LOSS OF POWER WAS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6612C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 780314D
- Airframe hours: 2222
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Haverfield Corporation
- Registered owner: Rock And Bobby Riggs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 26, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: GPT, GULFPORT, MS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 9,400 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 22 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 19930127002499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930127002499A), Jan 27, 1993: Hughes 369D, Pascagoula, MS, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to M50. Landed in trees and a swamp. No engine anomalies. Metal in fuel partial blocking.

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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