# NTSB WPR26FA054: Hughes 369D, N161LA, Pryor, OK, December 5, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report - Date: December 5, 2025, 08:58 local (14:58 UTC) - Place: Pryor, OK · field near power lines - Coordinates: 36.221413, -95.251628 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2214&lon=-95.2516&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: JBI Helicopter Services, Inc, Rolls-Royce Engines, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 202111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26FA054 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202111/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA054 ## Preliminary report On December 5, 2025, about 0858 central standard time, a Hughes 369D, N161LA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pryor, Oklahoma. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. According to the operator, the helicopter departed from a landing zone about 1 mile from the accident site, about 28 minutes prior to the accident. The purpose of the flight was to visually monitor power line replacement operations. According to multiple witnesses who were employed by the power line company, the helicopter was hovering above and alongside the power distribution line being constructed. During the hover, the helicopter was moving at a slow rate of speed, about 4 knots, while the pilot was observing a device called a “sock,” being pulled along the power distribution line by ground based equipment. The witnesses reported that the helicopter suddenly pitched up to a near inverted attitude, flew backward, then turned and pitched straight down, toward the ground. They described the sequence as if it looked like the helicopter “flipped over on its back and fell to the ground.” Examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter impacted an open field, in a nose low attitude, about 250 ft south of the power distribution line where the ‘sock’ was being observed. The first identifiable point of contact (FIPC) was a ground impression with various fragments of debris consistent with the forward fuselage and cabin area, and ground penetration scars consistent with the left and right skid toes. The skid toe and forward 2-3 ft of the right skid was separated from the rest of the right skid and remained impaled in the ground at the FIPC. The main wreckage came to rest on its right side, on a magnetic heading of about 040°, about 6 ft south of the FIPC. The majority of the debris field remained within about a 50 ft diameter of the main wreckage. One main rotor blade was located about 110 ft south of the main wreckage and another main rotor blade was located about 160 ft southeast of the main wreckage. A section of main rotor blade section was located about 160 ft south of the main wreckage, and one pitch horn was located about 170 ft south of the main wreckage. (See figure 1.) All major components of the helicopter were located at the accident site. Figure 1. Debris field The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N161LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N161LA), registered now, S/N 711015D, built 1981 (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-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 711015D - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 27279.6 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 2025, 35.1 hours before - Departed: Pryor, OK - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGCM, 12 nm away - METAR: METAR KGCM 051455Z AUTO 20010KT 1/4SM FZFG OVC003 M01/M01 A3007 RMK AO2= ## 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 20251205019029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251205019029A), Dec 5, 2025: Hughes 369D, Pryor, OK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On December 5, 2025, at approximately 0900, a Hughes 369D helicopter was hovering over a tree line while performing observer duties for powerline workers.… 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.