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NTSB Report
May 25, 1985 · Hughes 369E · N5219A
Indianapolis, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Aircraft
Hughes 369E
Tail Number
N5219A
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85FA213
AS THE HELICOPTER WAS ON DOWNWIND FOR THE HELIPORT, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN PWR INTERRUPTION AND EVENTUALLY A ENG FAILURE. HE WAS ATTEMPTING AN AUTOROTATION TO RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN HE SAW WIRES. HE MANAGED TO MISS THE WIRES BUT BY DOING SO HE EXPENDED THE ROTOR RPM AND CRASHED ONTO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. INSPECTION REVEALED THE BYPASS HOSE FROM THE ENG FUEL PUMP FILTER TO THE FUEL FILTER PRESSURE SWITCH WAS TWISTED. THE FITTING ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS FOUND LOOSE AND COULD BE TURNED WITH FINGER PRESSURE.
Full Narrative
AS THE HELICOPTER WAS ON DOWNWIND FOR THE HELIPORT, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN PWR INTERRUPTION AND EVENTUALLY A ENG FAILURE. HE WAS ATTEMPTING AN AUTOROTATION TO RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN HE SAW WIRES. HE MANAGED TO MISS THE WIRES BUT BY DOING SO HE EXPENDED THE ROTOR RPM AND CRASHED ONTO THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. INSPECTION REVEALED THE BYPASS HOSE FROM THE ENG FUEL PUMP FILTER TO THE FUEL FILTER PRESSURE SWITCH WAS TWISTED. THE FITTING ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS FOUND LOOSE AND COULD BE TURNED WITH FINGER PRESSURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm E
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369E
Tail NumberN5219A
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC