# NTSB MIA94LA165: Hughes 369HS, N520TC, Sarasota, FL, June 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1994, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Coordinates: 27.399171, -82.530258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3992&lon=-82.5303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA165

## Probable cause

ALTITUDE MISJUDGED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - water
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - improper

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER FLEW INTO WATER DURING AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLIGHT. A PASSENGER IN THE HELICOPTER WAS WEARING A HARNESS AND WAS SECURED TO THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BY A NYLON ROPE. THE NYLON ROPE BROKE AND THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED AND DISLOCATED SHOULDER.

## Factual narrative

On June 22, 1994, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369HS, N520TC, registered to C & C Endeavers, crashed into the Sarasota Bay near Sarasota, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial photography flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter was substantially damaged and the airline transport- rated pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries.  One passenger sustained serious injuries.  The flight originated about 1015 from the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, Florida.

During an aerial photography flight the helicopter was flown into the water.  One of the passengers who was in the right rear seat was wearing a harness which was secured to the seatbelt anchor by a nylon rope.  After impact with the water the nylon rope broke and the passenger was ejected from the helicopter.  The passenger sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N520TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520TC-1997-11-18), registration cancelled 1997-11-18, S/N 340580S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3405803
- Airframe hours: 7926
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20B 365 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Hover Flight, Inc.
- Registered owner: C & C Endeavers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1993, 36 hours before
- Airport: SRQ, Sarasota/Bradenton Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 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 19940622016249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940622016249A), Jun 22, 1994: Hughes 369HS, Sarasota, FL, Substantial damage. Crashed in bay during low level photo flight. Passenger rear seat had rope seat belt which broke. Was ejected.

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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