# NTSB NYC87LA208: Hughes 369D, N8384F, Bedford, MA, July 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1987, 11:18 local (15:18 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, MA
- Location: 42.5299° N, 71.2341° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LAURENCE G HANSCOM FLD (BED), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5299&lon=-71.2341&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION WITH POWER RECOVERY, THE ROTOR RPM BLED OFF. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE HELICOPTER TURNED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE HITTING THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8384F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1260051D
- Airframe hours: 4479
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Trafficopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 1987
- Departed: BED, BEDFORD, MA
- Airport: BED, Hanscome Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,633 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 4,535 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BED, 5 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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