# NTSB SEA80FYE10: Hughes 369D, N8303F, Mt.Vernon, WA, December 22, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: December 22, 1979
- Place: Mt.Vernon, WA · MT.VERNON, WA
- Location: 48.4171° N, 122.3118° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Vernon, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4171&lon=-122.3118&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 22, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA80FYE10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYE10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3298  79/12/22 NR.MT.VERNON,WA       HUGHES 369D         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1345                    N8303F              PX-  0  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 41, 5040 TOTAL HOURS, 402
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         MT.VERNON,WA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: SPRAG SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- TKOF FROM SMALL CLEARING. SPRAG CLUTCH(PN 369A5364)FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8303F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- 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 19791222036899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791222036899A), Dec 22, 1979: Hughes 369D, Mt. Vernon, WA, Substantial damage. Drive clutch on main rotor drive failed. Made hard autorotation landing.

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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