# NTSB MKC90LA016: Hughes 369HS, N3961H, Ogilvie, MN, October 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1989, 13:27 local (19:27 UTC)
- Place: Ogilvie, MN
- Coordinates: 45.830955, -93.409614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8310&lon=-93.4096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA016

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN CONDITIONS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER DROPPING HIS SLING LOAD, DURING A HELICOPTER FIRE CONTROL OPERATION, HE NOTED A LOSS OF ENGINE RPM. THE ENGINE OUT LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE LOW RPM WARNING AUDIO. AN EMERGENCY AUTOROATION WAS MADE IN A BURNED OUT SWAMPY AREA. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER & WAS DAMAGED. NO PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE OR SYSTEMS WAS FOUND AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SUPPLY SHORTAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3961H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 520378S
- Airframe hours: 6074
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Brainerd Helicopter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 14, 1989, 97 hours before
- Departed: BRD, BRAINERD, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,440 total, 175 in this make and model, 3,275 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891022042519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891022042519A), Oct 22, 1989: Hughes 369HS, Ogilvie, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot reported power loss on pull up from spraying forest fire. Autorotated to burned out area,rolled over landing.

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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