# NTSB SEA90FA005: Hughes 369D, N8613F, Bothell, WA, October 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1989, 09:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Bothell, WA
- Coordinates: 47.839481, -122.189094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8395&lon=-122.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO DETERMINE WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE THE FLIGHT, HIS ATTEMPT TO FLY VFR IN IMC, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE ALTITUDE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CEILING, RAIN AND FOG WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME ON A VFR FLIGHT TO SNOHOMISH, WA., 7 MILES NORTH. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING OR FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALT BEFORE IMPACT ONE MILE NORTH OF THE PILOT'S HOUSE, IN RAIN, FOG, & LOW CEILING WX CONDITIONS. THE ACFT WAS FLYING IN AND OUT OF LOW CLOUDS THAT EXTENDED DOWN TO TREE TOP LEVEL. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES AND POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8613F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8613F-1989-11-15), registration cancelled 1989-11-15, S/N 670127D (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 670127D
- Airframe hours: 3255
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond D. Tenney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1989, 27 hours before
- Departed: BOTHELL, WA
- Destination: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 209 total, 140 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 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 19891013040249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891013040249A), Oct 13, 1989: Hughes 369D, Bothell, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off into low ceilings and visibility struck trees and wires. Burned on impact.

## Other investigations on N8613F (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 SEA87FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA194), Sep 27, 1987: Hughes 369D (N8613F), Seattle, 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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