# NTSB SEA77DYA35: Hughes 369D, N8396F, Etna, WY, September 11, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 11, 1977
- Place: Etna, WY · ETNA, WY
- Location: 43.0334° N, 111.0129° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Etna, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0334&lon=-111.0129&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 145238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA77DYA35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77DYA35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2797  77/9/11    ETNA,WY             HUGHES 369D         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 3079
        TIME - 0920                    N8396F              PX-  0  0  4  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 40 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          ALPINE,WY                   LOCAL                        ETNA,WY
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED IN INITIATING GO-AROUND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT FATIGUE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      55
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- DENSITY ALT 8740FT.PLT FLT TIME 10HRS IN LAST 24
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8396F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8396F-1988-05-05), registration cancelled 1988-05-05, S/N 370102D (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19770911028559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770911028559A), Sep 11, 1977: Hughes 369HE, Etna, ID, Substantial damage. Density alt 8740FT.plt flt time 10HRS in last 24

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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