# NTSB SEA82DA055: Hughes 500C, N9131F, Darrington, WA, April 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1982, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Darrington, WA
- Coordinates: 48.189155, -121.210243 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1892&lon=-121.2102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA055

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,ski assembly - overload (contributing factor)
- Roll over, standing - starting engine(s)

## Analysis

DURING AN APPROACH TO A 9100 FOOT HIGH SNOW COVERED LANDING SITE THE WIND SHIFTED TO A TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE AND ATTEMPTED A SKID ON LANDING. WHILE SKIDDING THROUGH THE SNOW THE LEFT SKID IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN UNDERNEATH A 12 INCH SNOW PACK. THE LEFT SKID SEPARATED UPWARDS AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9131F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9131F-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 230448S, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500C
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 230448S
- Airframe hours: 3752
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Anthony B. Reece
- Registered owner: Anthony B. Reece
- Departed: GLACIER, WA
- Destination: MT. BAKER, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,685 total, 2,402 in this make and model, 3,554 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F

## 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 19820419019429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820419019429A), Apr 19, 1982: Hughes 369HS, Glacier, WA, Substantial damage. Windshift on approach to deep snow landing. Made slide on landing. Skid dug in and broke. Helicopter rolled over.

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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