# NTSB NYC88LA083: Hughes 369D, N5093Y, Waterfall, PA, February 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1988, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Waterfall, PA
- Coordinates: 40.119316, -78.060043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1193&lon=-78.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - door,exterior crew - lack of (contributing factor)
  - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - deployed inadvertently (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - disabled (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub - separation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD 'BOOM' AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL ACCOMPANIED BY AN INCREASE IN N2 AND RPM. A RADIO TRANSMISSION WAS MADE TO THE AIRCRAFT THAT WAS TRAILING AND THEN AN APPROACH FOR LANDING SET UP. ON LANDING, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD BUT LEVEL AND WITH THE SKIDS IN LINE WITH THE FINAL APPROACH PATH. THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE, 45 FEET FROM THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN POINT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT IN FLT. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS 3/4 MILE FROM THE ACC SITE. 300 YARDS FARTHER AWAY WAS A FLT BAG FROM THE HELICOPTER WITH TAIL ROTOR PAINT ON IT. THERE WERE NO DOORS ON THE HELICOPTER BECAUSE OF ITS USE IN POWER LINE PATROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5093Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5093Y-1991-01-23), registration cancelled 1991-01-23, S/N 811045D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 811045D
- Airframe hours: 3175
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Haverfield Helicopters
- Registered owner: Haverfield Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: HAGERSTOWN, MD
- Destination: ALTOONA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,836 total, 296 in this make and model, 1,591 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19880216002609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880216002609A), Feb 16, 1988: Hughes 369D, Houstontown, PA, Destroyed. Tail rotor assembly broke off in flight when it was struck by a helmet flight bag blown out of cockpit.

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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