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NTSB Report
September 25, 1985 · Hughes 369D · N29707
Porterville, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Porterville, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N29707
Operator
Michael G Dawson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA403
AFTER CLIMBING TO A CRUISE ALT OF 13500 FT MSL TO CROSS THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, SOUTH OF MT WHITNEY, THE PLT ENTERED CRUISE FLT AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF APRX 120 TO 130 KTS. THE PLT'S FLT MANUAL LISTS 110 KTS AS THE VELOCITY VELOCITY TO NEVER EXCEED AT THIS PRESSURE ALT AND TEMP. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FIRST FELT A RAPID VIBRATION IN THE ANTI-TORGUE PEDALS. HE SAID HE THEN ENTERED A DESCENT. AS THE ACFT DESCENDED TO APRX 300 FT AGL IT WAS JOLTED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE AN UNCONTROLLED FORCED LANDING AND CRASHED ON A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 9000 FT. BOTH THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER SURVIVED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS BEFORE BEING FOUND BY HUNTERS.
Full Narrative
AFTER CLIMBING TO A CRUISE ALT OF 13500 FT MSL TO CROSS THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, SOUTH OF MT WHITNEY, THE PLT ENTERED CRUISE FLT AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF APRX 120 TO 130 KTS. THE PLT'S FLT MANUAL LISTS 110 KTS AS THE VELOCITY VELOCITY TO NEVER EXCEED AT THIS PRESSURE ALT AND TEMP. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FIRST FELT A RAPID VIBRATION IN THE ANTI-TORGUE PEDALS. HE SAID HE THEN ENTERED A DESCENT. AS THE ACFT DESCENDED TO APRX 300 FT AGL IT WAS JOLTED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE AN UNCONTROLLED FORCED LANDING AND CRASHED ON A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 9000 FT. BOTH THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER SURVIVED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS BEFORE BEING FOUND BY HUNTERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN29707
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMichael G Dawson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC