# NTSB WPR14CA363: Hughes 369D, N516PJ, Willows, CA, September 2, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2014, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Willows, CA - Coordinates: 39.524166, -122.249168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5242&lon=-122.2492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA363 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90007/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90007 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA363 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately secure cargo (a jacket), which resulted in the jacket exiting the cabin compartment and colliding with the tail rotor during cruise flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Loading](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011500/cases.md) - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4470706), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight an unsecured jacket departed the helicopter through an open window. The tail rotor drive shaft sheared as a result of the jacket's contact with the tail rotors. The pilot subsequently initiated a forced landing to an orchard where during landing, the main rotors struck and separated the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative While in cruise flight an unsecured jacket departed the helicopter through an open window. The tail rotor drive shaft sheared as a result of the jacket's contact with the tail rotors. The pilot subsequently initiated a forced landing to an orchard where during landing, the main rotors struck and separated the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N516PJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N516PJ), registered now, S/N 1188D (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: 1188D - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 9258 - Engines: Rolls Royce/Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Pj Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Pj Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 22, 2014 - Departed: WLW, WILLOWS, CA - Destination: WLW, WILLOWS, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: WLW, Willows-Glenn County - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 22,100 total, 6,495 in this make and model, 19,005 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KCIC, 25 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 20140902016589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140902016589A), Sep 2, 2014: Hughes 369D, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot departed lz near Willows to fly the 2.8 miles to Willows aiport (kwlw) to use the bathroom. After landing, he shut down the aircraft. After departing the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90007. 14.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Accident Photos Provided by Operator (item 2, .PDF, 12 photos, 9.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20Provided%20by%20Operator-Master.PDF - Flight Track and GPS (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Track%20and%20GPS-Master.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.