# NTSB SEA84LA096: Hughes 369D, N779FA, Toutle, WA, April 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1984, 16:30 local (Apr 29, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Toutle, WA
- Coordinates: 46.309345, -122.689041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3093&lon=-122.6890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA096

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - deteriorated (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PLT WAS OPERATING HELICOPTER AT 120 FT AGL WITH THE AUX FUEL PUMP ON WHEN A TTL LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED. AUTOROTATION WAS ENTERED BUT A HARD LANDING RESULTED IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CUTTING OFF THE TAIL BOOM. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE ENGINE FUEL PUMP FILTER CHAMBER CONTAINED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTAMINTATION PARTICLES. SOME OF WHICH WERE FROM A DETERIORATING FUEL PUMP BUSHING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N779FA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 543
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C2OB 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L Obrien, doing business as Obrien Intl Ltd
- Registered owner: Michael L. O'Brien
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 7, 1983, 95 hours before
- Departed: CAMP BAKER, WA
- Destination: SPIRIT LAKE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,912 total, 2,510 in this make and model, 4,727 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F
- 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 19840428043789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840428043789A), Apr 28, 1984: Hughes 369D, Toutle, WA, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out. Made a hard autorotation landing. Found foreign particles in the fuel.

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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