# NTSB NYC90FA029: Hughes 369HS, N9208F, North Adams, MA, November 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1989, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: North Adams, MA
- Location: 42.6756° N, 73.1181° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Adams, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6756&lon=-73.1181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA029

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) TO ASSURE PROPER ROTOR RPM AND PROPER OPERATION OF THE  FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING AN APPROACH IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.   A FACTOR RELATED TO  THE  ACCIDENT WAS:  THE PIC'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLTS WERE MAKING APCHS TO THE ARPT, WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM & THE TAIL ROTOR SEPD. THE HELICOPTER THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL & IMPACTED ON SLOPING TERRAIN NEAR THE APCH END OF RWY 11. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.  THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) HAD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH AIRPLANE SINGLE/MULTI-ENG LAND & INSTRUMENT RATINGS, BUT HE HELD ONLY A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE FOR ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTERS.  ON THE ACDNT FLT, HE OCCUPIED THE RGT PLT SEAT, WHILE THE OTHER PLT WAS IN THE LEFT SEAT.  THIS HELICOPTER IS NORMALLY FLOWN FROM THE LEFT SEAT.  THE LEFT SEAT OCCUPANT HAD AN ATP CERTIFICATE FOR MULTI-ENG LAND AIRPLANES & WAS GETTING READY FOR A CHECK FLT TO OBTAIN A PRIVATE ROTORCRAFT RATING. MANUFACTURING PSNL AT MCDONNELL DOUGLAS RPRTD THAT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WOULD NOT STRIKE THE TAIL BOOM, IF THE ROTOR RPM WAS ABOVE 90%. APRX 28 WEST AT ALBANY, THE 1550 EST WIND WAS FROM 160 DEG AT 16 GUSTING 23 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9208F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9208F-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 840628S, built 1974 (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: 8406285
- Airframe hours: 1344
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: King Services Inc.
- Registered owner: King Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 54 hours before
- Departed: OWD, NORWOOD, MA
- Destination: TROY, NY
- Airport: 2B6, Harriman-And-West, runway 11, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 741 total, 607 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 28 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 19891115045369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891115045369A), Nov 15, 1989: Hughes 369HS, North Adams, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Making multiple approaches. Nose reported to pitch up followed by main rotor striking and separating tail section.

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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