Hughes 369D N31HM

Summary

On 29 July 2013 at about 15:40 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N31HM, operated by DAH Aircraft LLC, was involved in an accident near Center Point, West Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 July 2013 at 15:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Center Point, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

39.4517, -80.5692

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N31HM

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1977

Engines

1

Operator

DAH Aircraft LLC

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

External Load

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Center Point → Center Point

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13LA344

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after trimming the top portion of a tree during helicopter tree-trimming operations, the engine experienced a gradual loss of power. The rotor rpm then began to decrease, and the "engine out" alarm illuminated and sounded. The pilot maneuvered to avoid power lines; however, during the descent, the rotor blades struck a power line pole, and the helicopter impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to all five main rotor blades and the left landing skid. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe and the air, fuel, and oil systems revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the loss of power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.