# NTSB SEA97LA032: Hughes 369D, N5225C, Forks, WA, November 16, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 16, 1996, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Forks, WA - Coordinates: 47.79076, -124.259315 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7908&lon=-124.2593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA032 ## Probable cause fuel contamination, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident included: improper servicing of the helicopter, and a lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing due to the proximity of trees. ## Analysis The helicopter lost engine power during an external load/logging operation, then it sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during an emergency landing. Investigation revealed that fuel contamination disrupted the flow of fuel from the engine fuel nozzle(s). Test samples from the fuel supplier, storage tank, and the helicopter's fuel filter were provided by the operator to an independent laboratory. Testing showed that the fuel supplier's sample was free of contamination, but contamination was found in samples from the storage tank and the helicopter fuel filter. ## Factual narrative On November 16, 1996, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a McDonnell Douglas 369D helicopter, N5225C, sustained substantial damage when it landed in trees after a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The aircraft was involved in external load operations near Forks, Washington. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The ELT did not actuate. According to FAA inspectors and manufacturer's representatives, the engine fuel nozzle collapsed from contamination of fuel. According to the operator, the contaminant was preliminarily identified as sugar/starch, possibly carboxymethyl cellulose. The operator contracted with Pacific Testing Laboratories to test samples from the fuel supplier, from the storage tank, and the helicopter's fuel filter. The testing found the fuel supplier's sample to be free of contamination, but found similar contamination in the storage tank and the helicopter fuel filter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - contamination,other than water (cause) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5225C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5225C-2017-02-07), registration cancelled 2017-02-07, S/N 590497D, built 1979 (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: 590497D - Airframe hours: 10667 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Eagle Air Helicopters,Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 9, 1996, 17 hours before - Departed: WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18,610 total, 5,825 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 5 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °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 19961116045399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961116045399A), Nov 16, 1996: Hughes 369D, Forks, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on external load ops. Landed in trees. Engine fuel nozzle collapsed due fuel contamination. ## Other investigations on N5225C (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB WPR14LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA308), Jul 22, 2014: Mdhi 369D (N5225C), Oso, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/mechanic’s failure to properly perform required inspections of the main rotor blades at the necessary intervals, which resulted in an in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to… - [NTSB SEA03LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA058), Apr 7, 2003: Hughes 369D (N5225C), Taholah, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The entanglement of the fuel quantity sender float in the start pump wiring within the fuel tank as a result of the wiring not being properly secured. This rendered the fuel gauge inaccurate and the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.