- Date
- May 8, 1985, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place
- Malvern, AR
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N9EEHughes 369HS
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19850508035599A
- Case key
- 33939
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During a powerline construction operation, a ground crew member holding a rope lead line released the rope prematurely as the helicopter became airborne. The nylon rope entangled the main rotor system forcing the plt to lose control of the helicopter. The ground crew member is supposed to retain a hold of this line until the helicopter clears the tower where the line stringing operation is being conducted.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9EE
- Reported as
- Hughes 369HS
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0684S
- Airframe hours
- 1,500
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20, 400 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 133
- Operator
- Three Rivers Helicopters
- Registered owner
- Cane Ridge Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Departed
- Malvern, AR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 43
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 10,500 total · 500 in this make and model · 10,500 as pilot in command · 45 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HOT, 10 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.