# NTSB SEA78FA040: Hughes 369D, N8380F, New Meadows, ID, June 29, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 29, 1978
- Place: New Meadows, ID · NEW MEADOWS, ID
- Location: 44.9713° N, 116.2852° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Meadows, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9713&lon=-116.2852&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 141238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FA040
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FA040

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1488  78/6/29  NR.NEW MEADOWS,ID     HUGHES 369D         CR-  2  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2320                    N8380F              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      AGE 45, 4587 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            31 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         NEW MEADOWS,ID               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - OTHER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  1500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- NO HORIZON OR GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS.ATTEMPTED BLADE TRACKING WITH HAND-HELD STROBE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8380F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8380F-1978-09-22), registration cancelled 1978-09-22, S/N 380277D, built 1978 (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: Destroyed

## 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 19780629021239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780629021239A), Jun 29, 1978: Hughes 369HE, New Meadows, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. No horizon or ground reference lights. Attempted blade tracking wiand-held strobe.

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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