# NTSB NYC84LA284: Hughes 369D, N6666C, Fishers Island, NY, August 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1984, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Fishers Island, NY
- Location: 41.2677° N, 71.9928° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fishers Island, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2677&lon=-71.9928&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA284

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - emergency procedure - simulated, dual student
  - autorotation - intentional, dual student
  - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFIED FLT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) STATED THAT HE WAS TEACHING HIS STUDENT AUTOROTATION'S TO TOUCHDOWN. HE CONTINUED TO STATE THAT HIS STUDENT APPLIED TOO MUCH LEFT PEDAL JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. THIS CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO YAW TO THE LEFT. THE CFI STATED HE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED RIGHT PEDAL AND THE HELICOPTER STRAIGHTENED OUT BUT JUST AS THEY TOUCHED DOWN, THE STUDENT PULLED BACK ON THE CYCLIC CAUSING THE TAIL TO HIT THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6666C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 990D
- Airframe hours: 283
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Sowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 12, 1984, 8 hours before
- Departed: FOK, WEST HAMPTON, NY
- Destination: 87N, SOUTH HAMPTON, NY
- Airport: OB8, Elizabeth Field, runway 7, 2,054 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,703 total, 230 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F

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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