# NTSB SEA83LA032: Hughes 369HS, N90876, Chemult, OR, December 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1982, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Chemult, OR
- Coordinates: 43.149105, -121.800369 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1491&lon=-121.8004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA032

## Analysis

THE FLT ENCOUNTERED HEAVY SNOW ENROUTE & THE ENG QUIT. DURING THE AUTOROTATION THE PLT MANEUVERED TO AVOID HITTING A RAILROAD SIGNAL TRESTLE BUT STRUCK SEVERAL RAILROAD SIGNAL CABLES & CRASHED. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A PARTICLE SEPARATOR, NOR WAS THE INSTALLED INLET SCREEN DESIGNED TO HANDLE HEAVY SNOW. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO-RELITE SYSTEM. THE AFM PROHIBITS FLT IN FALLING SNOW WITHOUT THE AUTO-RELITE SYSTEM INSTALLED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90876 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10901145
- Airframe hours: 2664
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy W. Hasler
- Registered owner: Timothy W. Hasler
- Departed: C, KLAMATH FALLS, OR
- Destination: C, TROUTDALE, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,049 total, 674 in this make and model, 2,002 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots
- Temperature: 90 °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 19821215067489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821215067489A), Dec 15, 1982: Hughes 369HS, Chemult, OR, Substantial damage. Engine quit while flying in heavy wet snow. Helicopter not equipped with a particle separator or reignition kit.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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