# NTSB SEA96LA106: Hughes 369HS, N444GJ, Arock, OR, May 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1996, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Arock, OR - Location: 42.9140° N, 117.5252° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arock, OR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9140&lon=-117.5252&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42377/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA106 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to see and avoid the transmission wire. A factor was the low altitude flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis While flying at approximately 40 to 50 feet above ground level and 100 knots, the helicopter struck a power line. The pilot stated to state troopers after the accident that following the wire strike, 'he had side to side control but did not have up and down control.' The pilot stated on his accident report that he performed 'an emergency landing in rough terrain with substantial resulting damage.' He reported that he had not seen the wire the helicopter had struck. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1996, at approximately 1600 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 369HS, N444GJ, struck a powerline and crashed near the intersection of U.S. highway 78 and Oregon state highway 95, approximately 19 nautical miles southwest of Arock, Oregon. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR 91 from Winnemucca, Nevada with an intended destination of Baker City, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was flying at approximately 50 feet above ground level in order to reduce the risk of mid-air collision with military aircraft on military training routes traversing his route of flight. According to the pilot, "The strike occurred . . . on a stepped upslope following a gradual downslope where the power line and supporting pole were backgrounded against a non-contrasting hillside." He stated on his NTSB accident report that following the wire strike, he performed "an emergency landing in rough terrain with substantial resulting damage." An Oregon State Police report indicated that the pilot told state troopers he had been flying "at about power pole height and traveling at 100 knots" and that he "did not see the last power line across in front of him." According to the report, the pilot also told state troopers that following the wire strike, "he had side to side control but did not have up and down control." The state police report's description of the accident scene noted that the power poles were approximately 40 feet tall, running east to west, and stated: "The scene indicates that the aircraft was [northbound] at an elevation of 35' to 40' in relation to the terrain...The aircraft hooked the power line pulling the line north to the point that the power line broke." The report also noted that the helicopter wreckage contained several rub marks, one of which "appeared to be an area that was in contact with the power line", as well as a section of power line wrapped around a skid. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N444GJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444GJ-2020-07-27), registration cancelled 2020-07-27, S/N 530479S (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369HS - Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 530479S - Airframe hours: 6732 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 325 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: George W. Jeffs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1995, 100 hours before - Departed: WMC, WINNEMUCCA, NV - Destination: BKE, BAKER CITY, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 19 °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 19960531012299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960531012299A), May 31, 1996: Hughes 369HS, Malheur City, OR, Substantial damage. Struck a powerline while en route, made emergency landing, skidded about 50FT and then flipped over. 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.