Hughes 369D N8306F
21 May 1997 · Moclips, Washington, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 21 May 1997 at about 17:00 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N8306F was involved in an accident near Moclips, Washington, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 17:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Moclips, Washington, United States
- Coordinates
- 47.2399, -124.1998
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D
- Registration
- N8306F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Aberdeen → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA97LA118
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
Inadequate installation of the fuel control by company maintenance personnel and a loose nut on a line. A disconnected Pc line was a factor.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that he lifted off vertically and turned the helicopter downwind toward the first sling load. When the helicopter attained an altitude of 70 to 80 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated a hovering autorotation and just before touchdown, the left side landing skid collided with a 17 gallon fuel jug. The helicopter began to roll to the right and the right side landing skid collided with the ground and collapsed. The helicopter continued to roll to the right and came to rest on its right side. Post accident investigation of the engine revealed that the pneumatic line at the fuel control of the engine was disconnected. Two days prior to the accident the fuel control had been replaced and the mechanic stated that all of the B-nuts had been properly torqued. The pneumatic line, B-nut and threads, and the mating connection on the fuel control were inspected for damage. There was no evidence of damage found to indicate how the B-nut could have backed off the fuel control connection if it had been properly torqued.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hughes 369 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb 1997 | Hughes 369HS | Marion, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Sep 1997 | Hughes 369HS | Morgan, Utah, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 11 May 1997 | Hughes 369D | Puako, Hawaii, United States | Kaohukaukuahiwi K. Sproat | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 Jan 1997 | Hughes 369HS | Wellington, Colorado, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Jun 1997 | Hughes 369HS | Pacific Ocean | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Feb 1997 | Hughes 369D | Milolii, Hawaii, United States | Manuiwa Airways | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 1997 | Piper PA-32-300 | Stuart Island, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Dec 1997 | Aero Commander 690A | Yakima, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 19 Oct 1997 | Piper PA-28-151 | Vashon, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Nov 1997 | Piper PA-18-150 | Battle Ground, Washington, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Dec 1997 | Aero Commander 112 | Kettle Falls, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 3 |
| 10 Dec 1997 | Cessna 150J | Silverdale, Washington, United States | Alternate Air Flying Club | No injuries | - |