# NTSB SEA82FYM16: Hughes 369D, N1096L, Birkenfeld, OR, May 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1982, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Birkenfeld, OR
- Location: 45.9907° N, 123.3376° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Birkenfeld, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9907&lon=-123.3376&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FYM16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYM16

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 150 LBS OF FUEL REMAINING WHEN HE BEGAN THE FLIGHT. SINCE THE DROP POINT WAS WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES OF THE DEPARTURE POINT, HE ELECTED TO PROCEED WITHOUT REFUELING. WHILE HOVERING AND BEING GUIDED INTO THE DROP POINT, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED. THE PILOT COMPLETED THE DROP, AND WHILE RETURNING TO THE REFUELING AREA, THE LIGHT FLICKERED 3 MORE TIMES. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE REFUELING AREA, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 60 LBS OF FUEL REMAINING. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS STILL ABOUT 50 TO 60 FT AGL. DURING AN AUTOROTATION, THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED ON THE HILLSIDE OF A LOGGING AREA WHILE AVOIDING A TRUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1096L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1096L-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 800789D, built 1980 (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: 789D
- Airframe hours: 695
- Engines: ALLISON 250 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Transwestern Helicotering
- Registered owner: Transwestern Helicotering
- Departed: BIRKENFELD, OR
- Destination: BIRKENFELD, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,143 total, 790 in this make and model, 3,676 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820519017419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820519017419A), May 19, 1982: Hughes 369D, Birkenfeld, OR, Substantial damage. Low fuel light flickered. Began landing for fuel. Engine quit. Struck hillside. No usable fuel in tank.

## Other investigations on N1096L (3)

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.

- [NTSB SEA99FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA018), Dec 8, 1998: Hughes 369D (N1096L), Taholah, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Turbine wheel failure as the result of a low-cycle fatigue crack that initiated in a beyond-limits grinding gouge. Factors include improper maintenance by unknown parties and tree stumps that…
- [NTSB SEA98LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA160), Aug 10, 1998: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N1096L), Oso, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the 90 degree gearbox and tail rotor assembly for undetermined reasons followed by the inability of the pilot-in-command to maintain control of the rotorcraft.
- [NTSB SEA85LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA017), Nov 13, 1984: Hughes 369D (N1096L), Humptulips, WA, destroyed

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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