# NTSB NYC89LA171: Hughes 369HS, N9238F, Niagara Falls, NY, May 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1989, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Niagara Falls, NY
- Location: 43.0928° N, 79.0147° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Niagara Falls, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0928&lon=-79.0147&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA171

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE AND AVOID THE CABLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - other
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT OVER THE PARK AREA OF NIAGARA FALLS, THE HELICOPTER FLEW INTO CABLES THAT WERE USED TO TRANSPORT CABLE CARS ACROSS THE GORGE FOR A SKYVIEW OF THE WHIRPOOL. AFTER THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE CABLES, IT JERKED ABOUT. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER ONTO A GOLF COURSE AND THE PASSENGERS JUMPED CLEAR OF THE CRAFT UNHURT. THE PILOT THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER AND SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9238F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9238F-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 250713S, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2507135
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Rainbow Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1989, 15 hours before
- Departed: GOAT ISLAND, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890530031059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890530031059A), May 30, 1989: Hughes 369HS, Niagara Falls, NY, Substantial damage. Struck cable car wires on a sightseeing flight over river gorge. Impact tore off skids. Landed safely on golf course

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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