# NTSB NYC80FHD03: Hughes 369D, N501RP, Trenton, NJ, October 18, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 18, 1979
- Place: Trenton, NJ · TRENTON, NJ
- Location: 40.2238° N, 74.7636° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Trenton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2238&lon=-74.7636&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC80FHD03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FHD03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3657  79/10/18   TRENTON,NJ          HUGHES 369D         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1600                    N501RP              PX-  0  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 36, 5447 TOTAL HOURS, 415
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MERCER CO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TRENTON,NJ                  PISCATAWAY,NJ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        REMARKS- T/R DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING P/N 369H92564-D,MANUFACTURER'S P/N 19E149,FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N501RP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Mercer Co

## 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 19791018037069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791018037069A), Oct 18, 1979: Hughes 369HS, West Trenton, NJ, Destroyed. Tail rotor drive failed while hovering at 50 feet. Helicopter spiraled into the ground.

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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