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NTSB Report
May 24, 1990 · Hughes 369FF · N530R
Madera, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Madera, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 369FF
Tail Number
N530R
Operator
Rogers Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90LA191
THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER DURING AN OUT OF GROUND EFFECT (OGE) HOVER, AUTOROTATED TO A CULTIVATED FIELD, AND ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. THE HELICOPTER HOVERED AT 110 FEET PREPARING TO HOOK UP AN EXTERNAL LOAD. THE PILOT HEARD A 'WHOOSH' SOUND AND ENTERED AUTOROTATION WITH TURN. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 180 DEGREES DUE TO OBSTACLES AND AUTOROTATED INTO A SOFT PLOWED FIELD. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE HELICOPTER THEN PITCHED TAIL UP ALLOWING THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR DISK TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. EXAMINATION OF THE MAINTENANCE AND FLIGHT DEPARTMENT RECORDS REVEALED NO UNRESOLVED MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES AGAINST THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER ENGINE WAS EXAMINED. THE ENGINE WAS PLACED IN A TEST CELL AND WAS RUN IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUEL FLOW CONFIGURATIONS. THERE WERE NO DEFICIENCIES NOTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT WHEN HE TURNED DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT TO AVOID OBSTACLES.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER DURING AN OUT OF GROUND EFFECT (OGE) HOVER, AUTOROTATED TO A CULTIVATED FIELD, AND ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. THE HELICOPTER HOVERED AT 110 FEET PREPARING TO HOOK UP AN EXTERNAL LOAD. THE PILOT HEARD A 'WHOOSH' SOUND AND ENTERED AUTOROTATION WITH TURN. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE HELICOPTER ABOUT 180 DEGREES DUE TO OBSTACLES AND AUTOROTATED INTO A SOFT PLOWED FIELD. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE HELICOPTER THEN PITCHED TAIL UP ALLOWING THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR DISK TO STRIKE THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. EXAMINATION OF THE MAINTENANCE AND FLIGHT DEPARTMENT RECORDS REVEALED NO UNRESOLVED MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES AGAINST THE HELICOPTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER ENGINE WAS EXAMINED. THE ENGINE WAS PLACED IN A TEST CELL AND WAS RUN IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT FUEL FLOW CONFIGURATIONS. THERE WERE NO DEFICIENCIES NOTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369FF
Tail NumberN530R
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRogers Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 C30 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO