# NTSB WPR22LA305: Hughes Helicopters 369E, N500AR, Ely, NV, August 15, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2022, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Ely, NV · open desert terrain
- Coordinates: 39.695233, -115.0875 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6952&lon=-115.0875&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105741/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105741
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA305

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters 369E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=4470707), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters 369E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4470707), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters 369E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=4470707), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Helicopters 369E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470707), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, he was using a helicopter to drive horses and misjudged his height above the terrain when a horse unexpectedly turned toward him. He pulled back on the cyclic, the tail rotor struck the terrain, and the helicopter immediately started a yaw to the right. The pilot rolled the throttle off to slow the turn and cushioned the landing by adding collective. Once outside the helicopter the pilot noticed that the tail rotor driveshaft had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N500AR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N500AR), registered now, S/N 0149E (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES HELICOPTERS INC 369E
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369e) (registry code 4470707) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0149E
- Year built: 1985
- Airframe hours: 5248.9
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20R 450 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Helicopter Roundup Service LLC
- Registered owner: Helicopter Roundup Service LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 2022
- Departed: KELY, Ely, NV
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; airline transport, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,069 total, 1,011 in this make and model, 8,916 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KELY, 23 nm away
- METAR: KELY 151453Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 16/11 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP152 T01610106 53004 $

## 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 20220815008049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220815008049A), Aug 15, 2022: Hughes Helicopters Inc 369E, Ely, NV, Substantial damage. During a low level maneuver while rounding up a herd of horses tail rotor struck the ground.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105741. 3.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14624648&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA305%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (provided by pilot) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 347 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14602573&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA305%20damage%20Photo-Rel.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.

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