# NTSB SEA07CA139: Hughes 369D, N935M, Torrance, CA, May 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2007, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.803333, -118.339721
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8033&lon=-118.3397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA139

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of helicopter control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a hard landing.  The wind gusts were a contributing factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport.  Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers.  During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard.  Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control.  During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport.  Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers.  During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard.  Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control.  During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent.  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N935M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N935M), registered now, S/N 1111125D (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)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1111125D
- Engines: Allison 250-C20 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SMO, Santa Monica, CA
- Destination: TOA, Torrance, CA
- Airport: TOA, Zamperini Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,475 total, 460 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: TOA

## 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 20070529013429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070529013429A), May 29, 2007: Hughes 369D, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During hover practice at toa near the helicopter practice pad, the PIC lost control and the helicopter made a hard landing. The helicopter sustained…

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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