# NTSB SEA84LA083: Hughes 369D, N1092L, Kent, WA, April 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1984, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Kent, WA
- Coordinates: 47.360046, -122.099128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3600&lon=-122.0991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach
  - traffic advisory - issued, atc personnel(artcc)
  - safety advisory - issued, atc personnel(artcc)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO TRANSIT THE SEATTLE TCA FOR A LANDING AT BOEING FIELD. HE WAS ADVISED OF A DC-10 DEPARTING THE SEATTLE-TACOMA INTL ARPT & WAS CAUTIONED ABOUT POSSIBLE WAKE TURBULENCE. THE DC-10 PASSED THE HELICOPTER WITH ABOUT 1 1/2 MI LATERAL SEPARATION & WAS ABOUT 600 FT HIGHER THAN THE HELICOPTER. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED VIOLENT VORTEX TURBULENCE. IT EXCEEDED 90 DEG OF BANK & 90 DEG OF NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, AT WHICH TIME, THE ENG FLAMED OUT. THE TURBULENCE CONTINUED THRU-OUT THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION, BUT DIMINISHED DURING THE LAST 100 TO 200 FT. THE PLT TRIED TO FLARE FOR A LANDING, BUT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWIND & CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. DURING RECOVERY, LESS THAN 1 QT OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1092L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1092L), registered now, S/N 410940D (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: 410940D
- Airframe hours: 1411
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Auto Publications,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: PDT, PENDLETON, OR
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,200 total, 505 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 7 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 19840414043759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840414043759A), Apr 14, 1984: Hughes 369D, Kent, WA, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out during turbulence from departing heavy. Hard landing chopped tailboom. A quart of fuel in tanks.

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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