# NTSB SEA79FA035: Hughes 369HS, N922MB, St Maries, ID, May 21, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 21, 1979
- Place: St Maries, ID · ST MARIES, ID
- Location: 47.3146° N, 116.5722° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Maries, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3146&lon=-116.5722&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA79FA035
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FA035

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1774  79/5/21  NR.ST MARIES,ID       HUGHES 369HS        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 2355
        TIME - 1150                    N922MB              PX-  3  0  0  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 28 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          POST FALLS,ID               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      69
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          290                                                       9
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- DA APRX 7700FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N922MB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- 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 19790521020909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790521020909A), May 21, 1979: Hughes 369HS, St Maries, ID, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Helicopter crashed into trees during timber survey. Factors: defective bleed & antiice valves. Density altitude.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.