# NTSB SEA83LA205: Hughes 369B, N10966, Cougar, WA, September 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1983, 17:00 local (Sep 26, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Cougar, WA
- Coordinates: 46.190345, -122.130798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1903&lon=-122.1308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, hover
  - compressor assembly,impeller - failure,total (cause)
  - compressor assembly,impeller - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT FOLLOWING AN IN-FLIGHT POWER LOSS. SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED FAILURE OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10966](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10966-2003-07-29), registration cancelled 2003-07-29, S/N 1000818D, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369B
- 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: 1000818D
- Airframe hours: 1890
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Olympic Air, Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1983, 7 hours before
- Departed: SHN, SHELTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,112 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 7,750 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19830925069729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830925069729A), Sep 25, 1983: Hughes 369D, Cougar, WA, Destroyed. Turbine impeller failure caused a power loss during a slingload operation. Helicopter crashed into trees.

## Other investigations on N10966 (1)

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 SEA82DA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA137), Aug 7, 1982: Hughes 369D (N10966), Shelton, WA, substantial damage

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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