Hughes 369D N5125Q

Summary

On 26 June 1996 at about 15:30 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N5125Q, operated by U.s. Forest Service, was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 June 1996 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.6103, -131.5804

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N5125Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

U.s. Forest Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC96TA092

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing was a factor in the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had landed in a remote area to transport three U.S. Forest Service employees into a national forest. The employees departed the helicopter and began walking away. While at full operating RPM, the helicopter rocked backwards and the tail rotor struck a rock. The helicopter received damage to the tail rotor blades, gearbox, tail boom and drive shaft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.