# NTSB SEA82FA070: Hughes 369D, N1107T, 6nm Sse Wrangel, AK, May 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1982, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: 6nm Sse Wrangel, AK
- Coordinates: 56.40979, -131.609619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4098&lon=-131.6096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT TO SURVEY A PROPOSED POWERLINE PROJECT. HE REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT AND AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED. HE MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER TO LAND IN A CLEARANCE, BUT STRUCK THE TOP OF A TREE ABOUT 35 FT AGL. THE HELICOPTER THEN TRAVELED 90 FT HORIZONTALLY AND IMPACTED ON SOFT, SLOPING MUSKEG. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURES. THE ENGINE PERFORMED NORMALLY DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS, THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN FLOWN THROUGH AT LEAST ONE AREA OF WET SNOWSHOWERS. HOWEVER, THE INTENSITY OF THE SHOWERS WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH AUTO-IGNITION, AN ANTI-ICE SYSTEM, AND A MODIFICATION TO THE ENGINE INLET SCREEN AND INSPECTION DOOR TO REDUCE FOD AND SNOW INGESTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1107T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1107T), registered now, S/N 210898D, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 210898D
- Airframe hours: 456
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ronald Gohmert
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters, Inc.
- Departed: WRG, WRANGELL, AK
- Destination: WRG, WRANGELL, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,750 total, 2,470 in this make and model, 4,020 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 109 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRG, 6 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 19820513019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820513019119A), May 13, 1982: Hughes 369D, Wrangell, AK, Substantial damage. Engine flameout after fying through heavy wet snow. Struck a tree on autoration landing. No engine or fuel problem.

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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