# NTSB SEA94LA094: Hughes 369D, N5211R, Rimrock, WA, April 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 1994, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Rimrock, WA - Coordinates: 46.779678, -120.880813 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7797&lon=-120.8808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA094 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE INABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTE AN AUTO- ROTATION LANDING BECAUSE OF THE LOW ALTITUDE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, hover - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - autorotation - not possible (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS IN A HOVER AT 125 FEET AGL AND ZERO HORIZONTAL VELOCITY WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE HAD BEEN CONDUCTING LOGGING OPERATIONS FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES ON A 200 POUND FUEL LOAD. HE EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION BUT LANDED HARD WITH THE HELICOPTER ROLLING OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE IN THE HOVER. AUTOROTATION FROM 125 FEET AT ZERO AIRSPEED WAS OUTSIDE THE PARAMETERS OF THE AIRCRAFT'S 'HEIGHT - VELOCITY' DIAGRAM. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 1994, approximately 1240 hours Pacific standard time (pst), a Hughes 369D, N5211R, registered to Rex Bailes Corp., being operated by Chet Rasberry, Inc., and being flown by Timothy D. Lyons, a certificated commercial rotorcraft pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total power loss while in a hover near Rimrock, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was concluding a long line operation, was to have been conducted in accordance with 14CFR133, and had departed approximately 1200 local time with 200 pounds of fuel. The pilot reported that while in a hover, approximately 125 feet above ground, he experienced a loss of power. He executed an autorotation and a hard landing followed during which the helicopter rolled over. The pilot reported to the operator that he had run out of gas. A representative of the manufacturer stated that autorotations conducted from a zero airspeed hover of 125 feet above ground were within the "dead man's curve" area of the aircraft's "Height - Velocity" diagram. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5211R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5211R-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 1161D, built 1982 (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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1161D - Airframe hours: 4230 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Operator: Chet Rasberry, Inc., doing business as Cri Helicopters - Registered owner: Rex Bailes Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 20, 1994, 57 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: YKM, 80 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 19940401007519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940401007519A), Apr 1, 1994: Hughes 369D, Rimrock, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power in a hover. Autorotated too low and slow. Hard impact. Rolled over. Fuel tank was empty. ## Other investigations on N5211R (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 ATL04LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA181), Sep 10, 2004: Hughes HU-369-D (N5211R), Waynesboro, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The tail rotor assembly failed due to a fatigue fracture of the input gearshaft in the tail rotor gearbox assembly, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and subsequent collision with trees. 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.