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NTSB Report
September 9, 1989 · Hughes 369D · N1088N
Petersburg, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Petersburg, AK
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N1088N
Operator
Temsco Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA170
AFTER PICKING UP PASSENGERS WITH EQUIPMENT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TWICE TO LIFT OFF, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, THE HELICOPTER ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 20 FT; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CLEAR A LINE OF TREES LOCATED 50 FT FROM THE LIFT-OFF POINT AND 30 FEET IN HEIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGERS AND EQUIPMENT WERE WEIGHED. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING 200 POUNDS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT FAILED TO OBTAIN CLEARANCE OVER TREES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE AIRCRAFT BEING ABOVE ITS MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION AND THE TREES.
Full Narrative
AFTER PICKING UP PASSENGERS WITH EQUIPMENT, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TWICE TO LIFT OFF, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT, THE HELICOPTER ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE OF APRX 20 FT; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CLEAR A LINE OF TREES LOCATED 50 FT FROM THE LIFT-OFF POINT AND 30 FEET IN HEIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGERS AND EQUIPMENT WERE WEIGHED. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING 200 POUNDS OVER ITS MAX GROSS WEIGHT LIMITATION. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN1088N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTemsco Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO