Hughes 369 N89ZC

Summary

On 6 November 2009 at about 16:30 local time, a Hughes 369 registered N89ZC was involved in an accident near Baxley, Georgia, 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

6 November 2009 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Baxley, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

31.7414, -82.3628

Aircraft

Hughes 369

Registration

N89ZC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Baxley → Baxley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10LA053

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the main fuel valve position.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the helicopter lost engine power less than a minute after takeoff and rolled over onto its left side during the subsequent autorotation. The pilot stated that the cause of the loss of engine power was because the “main fuel valve was pulled causing fuel starvation to the engine.” He also stated that there was no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.