# NTSB SEA82DA120: Hughes 369D, N58414, 35 W. Of Ketchi, AK, July 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1982, 20:15 local (Jul 21, 1982, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: 35 W. Of Ketchi, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610866, -131.580795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6109&lon=-131.5808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82DA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach
  - rotor system - foreign object damage (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - overload (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SLING LOAD OPERATION WITH A 50 FT CABLE ATTACHED. AFTER THE LAST SLING LOAD WAS MOVED TO A NEW DRILLING SITE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LEAVE THE CABLE ATTACHED SINCE THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA NEARBY. HE STATED THAT THE CABLE WAS TRAILING NICELY AS HE DESCENDED DOWN A 1500 FT BLUFF ABOVE THE MAIN CAMP. HOWEVER, AS HE REDUCED THE RATE OF DESCENT AND FORWARD VELOCITY, AND APPLIED POWER, THE CABLE BECAME ENGAGED IN THE TAIL ROTOR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT LOST EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND CRASHED ON A ROCKY BEACH. THE TAIL ROTOR AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX WERE FOUND ABOUT 100 FT FROM THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58414 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 480306D
- Airframe hours: 1888
- Engines: ALLISON 250-D20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Temsco Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters, Inc.
- Departed: 35 W. OF KETCHI, AK
- Destination: 35 W. OF KETCHI, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,880 total, 440 in this make and model, 2,770 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 35 nm away

## 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 19820720032379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820720032379A), Jul 20, 1982: Hughes 369D, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed. Trailing long line fouled in tail rotor when pilot slowed for landing. Helicopter crashed out of control.

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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