# NTSB MKC90LA024: Mcdonnell Douglas 369HS, N9213F, Oklee, MN, November 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1989, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Oklee, MN
- Coordinates: 47.829788, -95.850578 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8298&lon=-95.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA024

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED POWER PLANT FAILURE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, SNOW, AND GUSTY WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS FLYING AT 75 TO 100 FT AGL DUE TO SNOW WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE OUT LIGHT AND THE ENGINE OUT AUDIO. WHILE MANEUVERING TO A LANDING AREA THE HELICOPTER WAS HIT BY A GUST OF WIND AND THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE GROUND AND BROKE OFF, THEN THE LEFT SKID BROKE OFF. THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AND TEST RUN AT THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITY AND EXHIBITED NO PROBLEM SUGGESTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9213F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9213F-1997-02-24), registration cancelled 1997-02-24, S/N 840630S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 8406305
- Airframe hours: 5567
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leland, Andrew
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 12, 1989, 47 hours before
- Departed: BJI, BEMIDJI, MN
- Destination: THIEF RVR FALLS, MN
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,460 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,295 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVF, 88 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 19891109048149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891109048149A), Nov 9, 1989: Hughes 369HS, Oklee, MN, Substantial damage. Reported loud bang,engine out on pipeline patrol. No defects found. Flew into ground in heavy snowshower.

## Other investigations on N9213F (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX95LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA298), Aug 17, 1995: Mcdonnell Douglas 500 (N9213F), Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), substantial damage. Probable cause: the accidental discharge of a spear gun by the observer.
- [NTSB CHI77FEC01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEC01), Oct 21, 1976: Hughes 369HS (N9213F), Pickney, MI, substantial damage

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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