# NTSB SEA92LA088: Hughes 369E, N5211Y, Hillsboro, OR, May 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1992, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.579811, -122.909721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5798&lon=-122.9097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF COLLECTIVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - collective - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN PRACTICE AUTOROTATION THE PILOT APPLIED TOO MUCH COLLECTIVE TOO EARLY AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD RESULTING IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXING DOWN AND SEVERING THE TAILBOOM ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5211Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5211Y-2003-02-21), registration cancelled 2003-02-21, S/N 0107E, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369E
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369e) (registry code 4470707) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0107E
- Airframe hours: 779
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hillsboro Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Stubblefield, Jerry D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1992, 14 hours before
- Airport: HIO, Portland-Hillsboro

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,266 total, 10 in this make and model, 4,786 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °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 19920501013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920501013149A), May 1, 1992: Hughes 369E, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. During evaluation check ride pulled collective too soon on autorotation landing. Impact flexed rotors. Chopped tail

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.