# NTSB SEA98LA050: Hughes 369E, N5245P, Seattle, WA, March 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1998, 17:45 local (Mar 22, 1998, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Seattle, WA - Coordinates: 47.539089, -122.309646 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5391&lon=-122.3096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42765/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA050 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to a restricted fuel system filter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - fuel system,filter - restricted - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was making a normal approach until about 30 feet in the air on short final, when he experienced a loss of power. After the resulting hard landing, the engine was still running and shut down by the pilot. Pressure and vacuum checks were performed on the engine fuel system and the engine was run successfully. Upon reassembly of the helicopter, the airframe mounted anti-ice fuel filter element was found to be restricted and the bypass switch was inoperative. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1998, approximately 1745 Pacific standard time, a Hughes 369E, N5245P, registered to and operated by Trident Seafoods Corporation, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Boeing Field, Seattle, WA. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The two remaining passengers received no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was for personal purposes, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Barnes Island, WA approximately 40 minutes prior to the accident. During an interview, the pilot stated that everything was normal until he was about 30 feet in the air on short final. At that point he experienced a loss of power but the engine did not quit. After the resulting hard landing, the engine was still running and shut down by the pilot. The helicopter was examined on March 23, 1998 after it had been moved to a hanger. Pressure and vacuum checks were performed on the engine fuel system. Fuel screens were also examined. No discrepancies were noted. The engine was later transported by the insurance company to ACRO Aerospace in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The Allison representative who observed the testing there reported that the engine started and ran normally during the tests except for a discrepancy about 40 minutes into the test when the engine failed to accelerate from idle. The scroll to PC filter tube B-nuts were found to be loose and the engine again performed normally after tightening. This line had previously been removed as part of the system pressure tests. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5245P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5245P), registered now, S/N 0140E (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369E - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369e) (registry code 4470707) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0140E - Airframe hours: 4523 - Engines: Allison A250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Trident Seafoods Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: BARNES ISLAND, WA - Destination: BFI - Airport: BFI, Boeing Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,465 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 11,240 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BFI ## 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 19980321021639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980321021639A), Mar 21, 1998: Hughes 369E, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. (-23)Made hard landing. (.4)the pilot stated that he was making a normal approach until about 30 feet in the air on short final, when he experienced a loss of… 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.