# NTSB WPR13CA057: Hughes 369D, N163PJ, Sheridan, OR, November 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 27, 2012, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Sheridan, OR - Coordinates: 45.105278, -123.387779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1053&lon=-123.3878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85677 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85677/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85677 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA057 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to prevent the helicopter from entering a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor blades impacting the truck. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a Christmas tree harvest, the pilot was repositioning trees from the harvest field onto a truck bed using an 18-foot tag line. He had completed at least five loads before the accident load. During the accident load, the pilot had just released the load onto the truck when he thought the helicopter was encountering a settling with power condition. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter to land on the road in front of the truck. The pilot thought he was clear of the truck; however, the main rotor blades hit the truck just above the cab. The helicopter impacted the ground and the main rotor blades struck and separated the tailboom from the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter or engine that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative During a Christmas tree harvest the pilot was repositioning the trees from the harvest field and placing them into the bed of the load truck using an 18-foot tag line. He had completed at least five loads prior to the accident load. On the accident load the pilot had just released the load into the truck when he felt the helicopter was encountering a settling with power condition. The pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter to land on the road in front of the load truck. The pilot thought he was clear of the truck when the main rotor blades hit the truck just above the cab. The helicopter impacted the ground and the main rotor blades separated the tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter or engine, which would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N163PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N163PJ-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 1068D, 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: 1068D - Airframe hours: 6645 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250 C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: P J Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: P J Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 2012 - Departed: Sheridan, OR - Destination: Sheridan, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 450 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: MMV, 12 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 20121127026039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121127026039A), Nov 27, 2012: Hughes 369D, Sheridan, OR, Substantial damage. On November 27, 2012, this helicopter was being operated under part 133 slinging christmas trees, loading trucks for transport. The helicopter was using a 18… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85677. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Sketch of Wreckage Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sketch%20of%20Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Record of Telecon Between FAA & Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telecon%20Between%20FAA%20%26%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF 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.