# NTSB MKC84FA147: Hughes 369D, N5102Z, Kearney, NE, May 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1984, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Kearney, NE
- Coordinates: 40.699382, -99.079742 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6994&lon=-99.0797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA147

## 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 - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING RETURN TO ARPT FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PLT DIVERTED TO OBSERVE PROPERTY OF A PERSONAL FRIEND, LOCATED ALONG A RIVER BANK. THE PLT WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ABOUT 200 FT AGL AT 40 TO 50 KTS AIRSPEED WHEN VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE ANTI-TORQUE PEDALS & THE ACFT ENTERED AN UPRIGHT, VERTICAL DESCENT, SPINNING ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS UNTIL IMPACTING THROUGH THE ROOF OF A METAL STORAGE BUILDING LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT FLUCTATION IN THE FREE TURBINE GOVERNOR & FUEL CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN IN IT'S POST-CRASH CONDITION. THE PLT OF THE MEDICAL RESCUE HELICOPTER RESPONDING TO THE SCENE STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING HIS ACFT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH DUE TO TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS IN A 20 KT WIND ASSOCIATED WITH DENSE FOREST ALONG THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5102Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 911083D
- Airframe hours: 220
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dr. L.L. Hyde
- Registered owner: American Display, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 21, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: CORNSTOCK, NE
- Destination: EAR, KEARNEY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,142 total, 22 in this make and model, 34,382 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRI, 35 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 19840527075169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840527075169A), May 27, 1984: Hughes 369D, Kearney, NE, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Low sightseeing pass, turbulence and downdrafts, settled onto tin shed while spinning about vertical axis.

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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