# NTSB SEA02LA174: McDonnell Douglas 369E, N16005, Index, WA, September 13, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2002, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Index, WA
- Coordinates: 47.821388, -121.39833
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8214&lon=-121.3983&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA174

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was hover taxiing approximately six to twelve inches above ground level (AGL) when the helicopter's right skid contacted a large rock.  The pilot stated that after contacting the rock, the helicopter pitched forward and began to rotate.  Shortly thereafter the helicopter rolled onto its left side resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On September 13, 2002, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E helicopter, N16005, sustained substantial damage subsequent to an in-flight collision with terrain while hovering near Index, Washington.  The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries, and the one passenger aboard the helicopter was not injured.  The helicopter is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight.  The flight originated from Sunset Lake, Washington, shortly before the accident.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 16, the pilot reported that he was hover taxiing approximately six to twelve inches above ground level (AGL) when the helicopter's right skid contacted a large rock.  The pilot stated that after contacting the rock, the helicopter pitched forward and began to rotate.  Shortly thereafter the helicopter rolled onto its left side resulting in substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N16005 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 201E
- Airframe hours: 1847
- Engines: Allison C-20-B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William B. Janes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 2001
- Departed: Sunset Lake, WA
- Destination: Sunset Lake, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KPAE, 33 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 20020913024379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020913024379A), Sep 13, 2002: Hughes 369E, Index, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Accident occured as pilot was in hover at remote lake, where he had gone to meet friends. While in hover, and moving toward Beech, right skid hit an…

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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