# NTSB SEA86FA056: McDonnell Douglas 369D, N609PD, Cougar, WA, February 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1986, 20:15 local (Feb 11, 1986, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Cougar, WA
- Coordinates: 46.190769, -122.130714 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1908&lon=-122.1307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE LANDING AREA AFTER A NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION ACROSS THE VALLEY FLOOR FROM THE MT. ST. HELENS VOLCANO. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PLT REPORTED THE WEATHER WAS CLOSING IN AND GETTING 'NASTY'. WX CONDITIONS AS REPORTED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE SUPPORT THE CONTENTION A METEOROLOGICAL EVENT CAUSED THE PLT TO LOSE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HORIZON AND IMPACT TERRAIN WHILE DESCENDING TO THE VALLEY FLOOR AT CRUISE SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N609PD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N609PD-1990-02-13), registration cancelled 1990-02-13, S/N 0754S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0754S
- Airframe hours: 4481
- Engines: ALLISON 250-20-C 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jim Hamilton, doing business as Greenleaf Helcopters
- Registered owner: Robinson Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 4, 1985, 55 hours before
- Destination: 60S, VANCOUVER, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,711 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 43 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 19860210002599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860210002599A), Feb 10, 1986: Hughes 369HS, Cougar, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft wreckage found two days after flight in remote area. Weather and flight conditions undetermined.

## Other investigations on N609PD (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 NYC76FHJ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FHJ28), Jul 31, 1976: Hughes 369 (N609PD), Westbury, NY, 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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