# NTSB NYC84LA204: Hughes 500D, N5106Y, Bedford, PA, June 7, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1984, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, PA
- Location: 40.0151° N, 78.5030° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bedford, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0151&lon=-78.5030&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, hover
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF WITH UNDER 200 LBS OF FUEL INDICATING ON THE FUEL GAGE. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF AT 125 FT AGL THE ENGINE OUT WARNING SYSTEM INDICATED AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE ACFT BEGAN TO ROTATE ABOUT ITS VETICAL AXIS AND DESCENDED. AT THIS POINT THE PLT OBSERVED THE FUEL GAGE TO BE 'ONE NEEDLE WIDTH BELOW THE 100 LB MARK.' THE PLT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM THEN PULLED IT ALL THE WAY UP JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WHICH OCCURRED IN A DESCENT RATE OF 800 TO 1000 FPM. THE IMPACT BROKE THE RIGHT SKID AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE ANKS AND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5106Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5106Y), registered now, S/N 811057D, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1057D
- Airframe hours: 880
- Engines: ALLISON L-250B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Evergreen Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BED, BEDFORD, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,010 total, 757 in this make and model, 6,850 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840607024159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840607024159A), Jun 7, 1984: Hughes 369D, Bedford, PA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a low level siesmic flight. Too low to maintain rotor speed. Hard landing collapsed a skid.

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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