# NTSB MKC85LA072: Hughes 369HS, N1040Z, Princeton, MO, March 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1985, 10:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Princeton, MO
- Coordinates: 40.389495, -93.579978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3895&lon=-93.5800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA072

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,static
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTERS TAIL ROTOR COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING AN APCH TO AN OPEN FIELD. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON DESCENDING ONTO THE FLD, THE ACFT BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY.CONSEQUENTLY, THE PLT LOST CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER MADE TWO 360 DEGREE REVOLUTIONS (THE ACFTS NOSE SWINGING RIGHT) BEFORE CONTACTING THE GROUND AND COMING TO REST ON IT'S LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1040Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6103235
- Airframe hours: 3331
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kcmo Radio
- Registered owner: Trafficopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 1985, 94 hours before
- Departed: MO28, PLATTSBURG, MO
- Destination: MO32, PRINCETON, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,050 total, 235 in this make and model, 6,850 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850315007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850315007759A), Mar 15, 1985: Hughes 369HS, Princeton, MO, Substantial damage. Tail rotor separated from tail boom after striking wire on approach to farm field. Uncontrolled descent to impact.

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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