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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 17, 1988 · Hughes 369E · N5258C

Chemult, OR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Chemult, OR
Aircraft
Hughes 369E
Tail Number
N5258C
Operator
W I D Industries
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA88LA097

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 6,300 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATED NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION. 150 FEET FROM THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THE HELICOPTER ROTOR STIRRED UP DUST AND DEBRIS FROM A ROAD, CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE VISUAL REFERENCE WITH THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK A TREE AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO ITS LEFT SIDE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 6,300 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATED NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION. 150 FEET FROM THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THE HELICOPTER ROTOR STIRRED UP DUST AND DEBRIS FROM A ROAD, CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE VISUAL REFERENCE WITH THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK A TREE AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO ITS LEFT SIDE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369E
Tail NumberN5258C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorW I D Industries
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data