# NTSB NYC85FA052: Hughes 500D, N1106M, Newark, NJ, January 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1985, 15:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Newark, NJ
- Location: 40.7242° N, 74.1726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newark, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7242&lon=-74.1726&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DEPLANED AND WALKED REARWARD TO RETREIVE HIS LUGGAGE FROM THE LEFT REAR SEAT OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE COOLING DOWN STAGE OF THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. AFTER DEPLANNING HE PROCEEDED REARWARD UNDER THE MAIN ROTOR WASH. WHEN REAR OF THE TAIL ROTOR HE WALKED INTO THE ROTATING BLADES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1106M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 610949D
- Airframe hours: 47
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: First Season Enterprises
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1984, 47 hours before
- Departed: JFK, JAMAICA, NY
- Destination: 01NJ, NEWARK, NJ
- Airport: Helistop

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 7 nm away

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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