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NTSB Report
September 21, 1990 · Hughes 369HS · N71552
New Orleans, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
New Orleans, LA
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N71552
Operator
Steel City Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90GA185
THE HELICOPTER WAS HOLDING TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 70 KNOTS AND 300 FEET AGL AWAITING LANDING CLEARANCE WHEN THE TURBINE ENGINE FLAMED OUT. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN ATHLETIC FIELD. HE FLARED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID A BASEBALL BACKSTOP AND LANDED HARD. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES DROOPED AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED AN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FLOAT ARM. APPROXIMATELY 250 ML OF JET FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE MAIN FUEL CELL. AN AUXILIARY FUEL TANK WAS FOUND FULL OF FUEL WITH THE PILOT COCKPIT CONTROL LEVER IN THE OFF POSITION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSE OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS HOLDING TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT AT APPROXIMATELY 70 KNOTS AND 300 FEET AGL AWAITING LANDING CLEARANCE WHEN THE TURBINE ENGINE FLAMED OUT. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO AN OPEN ATHLETIC FIELD. HE FLARED ABRUPTLY TO AVOID A BASEBALL BACKSTOP AND LANDED HARD. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES DROOPED AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED AN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FLOAT ARM. APPROXIMATELY 250 ML OF JET FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE MAIN FUEL CELL. AN AUXILIARY FUEL TANK WAS FOUND FULL OF FUEL WITH THE PILOT COCKPIT CONTROL LEVER IN THE OFF POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 CDT
Nearest AirportLakefront (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN71552
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSteel City Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time12:54
Weather SourceWFAC