# NTSB NYC83FGM01: Hughes 369D, N31PL, Coaltown, PA, October 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1982, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Coaltown, PA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FGM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70292/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FGM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE PATROLLING ALONG THE WEST'SIDE OF A POWER LINE FROM SOUTH TO NORTH. WHILE PATROLLING THE PILOT WAS MAINTAINING AN ALTITUDE OF 75 TO 100 FT AGL AT 20 TO 30 KTS WITH AN 8 TO 10 KT TAIL WIND. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING DOWN A RIDGE WHEN THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A SLOW YAW TO THE RIGHT. HE STATED THAT FULL LEFT PEDDLE WAS USELESS AND THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO YAW TO THE RIGHT. HE REDUCED THE COLLECTIVE TO CONTROL THE RATE OF THE TURN, BUT BEGAN DESCENDING TOWARD THE WIRES. HE THEN INCREASED THE COLLECTIVE AND ADDED RIGHT CYCLIC TO AVOID THE WIRES. AFTER SPINNING 2 OR 3 TIMES, HE REDUCED THE POWER AND COLLECTIVE AND BEGAN AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD IN A WOODED AREA. A POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE FUSELAGE FROM STATION 164 FORWARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31PL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11702340
- Airframe hours: 1340
- Engines: ALLISON 250 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Evergreen Helicopter, Inc
- Registered owner: Evergreen Helicopter, Inc
- Departed: BUTLER, PA
- Destination: BUTLER, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,671 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,544 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19821020055829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821020055829A), Oct 20, 1982: Hughes 369, Coaltown, PA, Destroyed. Tail rotor bell crank broke during a powerline patrol. Low altitude prevented autorotation. Crashed into trees.

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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