# NTSB NYC86LA174: Hughes 500A, N4237D, Fall River, MA, July 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1986, 23:00 local (Jul 7, 1986, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Fall River, MA
- Location: 41.7015° N, 71.1550° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fall River, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7015&lon=-71.1550&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - maneuver - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED FOG AND HAZE DURING RETURN FLIGHT TO NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND CRASHED INTO THE NORTH WATUPPA POND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4237D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1190215S
- Airframe hours: 5172
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anthony M. Wquisanti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1986, 120 hours before
- Departed: NEW BEDFORD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 700 total, 700 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWB, 6 nm away

## 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 19860706030379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860706030379A), Jul 6, 1986: Hughes 369D, Fall River, MA, Substantial damage. Encountered fog and haze at night, lost control. Helicopter went into right spin into pond. Spatial disorientation

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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