# NTSB SEA90LA081: Hughes 369D, N8306F, Kelso, WA, May 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kelso, WA
- Coordinates: 46.139961, -122.800765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1400&lon=-122.8008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA081

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO KEEP THE EXTERNAL LOAD CLEAR OF OBSTACLES (TREES).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  FAILURE OF THE PILOT AND GROUND CREWMAN TO FOLLOW SAFETY PROCEDURES, AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LONGLINE LOAD (BUNDLE OF CEDAR BLOCKS).  THE BUNDLE STRUCK TREE BRANCHES IN THE THICK FOREST CANOPY OVER THE PICKUP SITE & CAME APART.  A FALLING BLOCK OF WOOD FROM THE BUNDLE STRUCK & FATALLY INJURED THE GROUND HOOK-UP CREWMAN.  THE COMPANY OPERATING MANUAL REQUIRED THAT GROUND PERSONNEL BE CLEAR OF THE AREA DURING THE LIFT-OFF & THAT THE PILOT MAKE A VERTICAL TAKEOFF TO AN ALTITUDE THAT WOULD CLEAR THE LOAD OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8306F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8306F), registered now, S/N 380274D, built 1978 (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 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 380274D
- Airframe hours: 2846
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Olympic Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1990, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,615 total, 202 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 36 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 19900521016979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900521016979A), May 21, 1990: Hughes 369D, Kelso, WA, 1 fatal. Tried to lift sling load of wood blocks through dense tree cover causing blocks to fall. Hit crewman without hardhat

## Other investigations on N8306F (4)

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 SEA99LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA082), Jun 8, 1999: Hughes 369D (N8306F), Southbend, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The complete loss of power, due to a failure of the compressor impeller disk. Factors include the low altitude of the helicopter at the time of the power loss, and the need to autorotate in a…
- [NTSB SEA97LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA118), May 21, 1997: Hughes 369D (N8306F), Moclips, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate installation of the fuel control by company maintenance personnel and a loose nut on a line. A disconnected Pc line was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA85LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA053), Feb 4, 1985: Hughes 369D (N8306F), Taholah, WA, destroyed
- [NTSB DEN79FTE19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FTE19), Jan 21, 1979: Hughes 500D (N8306F), Marble, CO, 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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