# NTSB SEA96LA025: Hughes 369D, N64DB, Scotts Mills, OR, November 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 1995, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Scotts Mills, OR - Coordinates: 44.959609, -122.56974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9596&lon=-122.5697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42314 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42314/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA025 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE GROUND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - external load cable/hook - entangled (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - foreign object (cause) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS RETURNING FOR A LOAD OF CHRISTMAS TREES. WHILE MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER, THE EXTERNAL LOAD LINE AND HOOK CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE HOOK BOUNCED UP INTO THE MAIN ROTOR, STRUCK A BLADE AND RICHOCHETED INTO THE TAIL BOOM. THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 1995 approximately 0930 Pacific standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N64DB, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the ground after the loss of the tail boom. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft was conducting external load operations lifting christmas trees. FAA inspectors noted that the external load hook, which weighed about ten pounds, had snagged to an object on the surface after the pilot had dropped a load and was climbing upslope to pick up another load. The hook flew up into the main rotor disk, striking one main rotor blade, causing a large dent or gouge and loss of a piece of the trailing edge. The hook then ricocheted into the tail boom, knocking off the aft portion of the tail boom and the tail rotor assembly, which fell to the ground. According to witnesses, the helicopter turned about two 360 degree turns before colliding with the ground, where it impacted on its right side. The hook was found about 300 feet from the aircraft. The pilot stated that he had dropped a load of trees and was flying approximately 30 knots indicated airspeed, 70 feet above the ground and had travelled about 75-100 yards away from the pile of trees, when the helicopter yawed about 90 degrees to the right in a strong gust of wind. Before he could correct for the yaw, the hook, on a 25 foot line, flew up and came in contact with the main rotor, causing the helicopter to come down and hit the ground, then roll on its side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64DB-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 1170231D, built 1977 (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: 1170231D - Airframe hours: 5377 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 425 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Trinity Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1995, 4 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,850 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 2,790 as pilot in command, 206 in the last 90 days, 170 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 19951129039139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951129039139A), Nov 29, 1995: Hughes 369D, Scotts Mills, OR, Substantial damage. Maneuvering after dropping christmas trees. Longline hook hit ground. Bounced into rotors, then tail. Boom separated 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.