# NTSB SEA83LA201: Hughes H-369D, N10915, Wrangell, AK, September 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1983, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wrangell, AK
- Coordinates: 56.40937, -131.61026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4094&lon=-131.6103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA201

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER OUT OF AN AUTOROTATION ATTEMPT AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE ACFT WAS IN THE PROGRESS OF A LINE-PULL THROUGH TREES WHEN THE ATTITUDE CHANGED SUFFICIENTLY TO ALLOW THE FUEL PUMP TO ENTRAIN AIR INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE COMPANY POLICY IS TO HAVE FULL FUEL LOAD FOR THIS TYPE OF OPERATION. THERE WAS ONLY 20 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, hover
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: N10915 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES H-369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 300691D
- Airframe hours: 2299
- Engines: ALLISON AL250C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 8, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: BRADFIELD, AK
- Destination: WRANGELL, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,594 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,384 as pilot in command, 198 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRG, 26 nm away

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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