# NTSB SEA05CA200: McDonnell Douglas 369E, N5207C, Medford, OR, September 24, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 24, 2005, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Medford, OR
- Coordinates: 42.358333, -122.983329
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3583&lon=-122.9833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA200

## Probable cause

In-flight collision with terrain during a precautionary landing.  Factors include instrument meteorological conditions and pilot disorientation.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

In a written statement dated September 27, the pilot reported that he elected to make a precautionary landing after seeing an unspecified "flicker on the dash warning lights."  He stated that before arriving at the spot he intended to land "fog closed in and I become disoriented and missed the spot."

## Factual narrative

On September 24, 2005, about 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369E Helicopter, N5207C, sustained substantial damage following an in-flight collision with terrain during a precautionary landing in instrument meteorological conditions approximately 5 miles west of the Medford airport, Medford, Oregon.  The helicopter is registered to BTS, LLC, of Ashland, Oregon, and was being operated by Brim Aviation as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, received minor injuries.  The flight originated from Medford, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident.  The flight-planned destination was Grants Pass, Oregon.  A company VFR flight plan was on file at the time of the accident.

In a written statement dated September 27, the pilot reported that he elected to make a precautionary landing after seeing an unspecified "flicker on the dash warning lights."  He stated that before arriving at the spot he intended to land "fog closed in and I become disoriented and missed the spot."

The pilot gave no explanation as to the origin, type, duration or color of the warning light.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5207C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5207C-2018-02-14), registration cancelled 2018-02-14, S/N 0118E, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369E
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369e) (registry code 4470707) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0118E
- Engines: Allison 250-C20B turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Brim Aviation, doing business as Same
- Registered owner: Bts, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Destination: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MFR, Medford-Jackson County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2; flight hours: 4,628 total, 1,513 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 20050924021289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050924021289A), Sep 24, 2005: Hughes 369E, Medford, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Prior to departing on a FAR part 91 flight, the pilot obtained a "special VFR clearance" and reported clear of kmfr class "d" airspace to the west…

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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