- Date
- June 18, 1982, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place
- Mt St Helens, WA
- Injuries
- 3 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N9352FHughes 269B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 18, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19820618023379A
- Case key
- 71788
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Analysis
The pilot intended to proceed to Mt St Helens to land near spirit lake. The winds in the vicinity of the desired landing point were too strong for a safe landing. Therefore, an alternate spot was selected below the ridge line and presumably sheltered from the wind. Late in the approach hover, the aircraft began a sudden side drift which could not be arrested. The pilot reported that a strong gust of wind had blown the aircraft out over the back side of the ridge. He reported that when the helicopter moved out of ground effect, it began to settle and he was unable to stop the descent. The impact forces were sufficient to damage the aircraft beyond economical repair. The density altitude was about 6200 ft.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9352F
- Reported as
- Hughes 269B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0046
- Engine
- Lycoming HIO-360-A1A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Jay E Kincy
- Registered owner
- Jay E Kincy
- Departed
- OLM · Olympia, WA
- Destination
- OLM · Olympia, WA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 28
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 219 total · 139 in this make and model · 158 as pilot in command · 85 in the last 90 days · 42 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 45° at 45 knots
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Temperature
- 158 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.