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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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March 25, 1983 · Hughes 369D · N9589F

Rancho Bernardo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rancho Bernardo, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N9589F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA159

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS ABOUT 10 FT AGL IN A HOVER, WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND AT 5, GUSTING 10 KTS, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED A LEFT PEDAL TURN. HE SAID THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT & ADDITIONAL LEFT PEDAL APPLICATION HAD NO EFFECT. HE ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF & ATTEMPTED TO LAND, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TURNING TO THE RIGHT & CRASHED. HE REMEMBERED HEARING THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN, BUT DID NOT REMEMBER SEEING THE LOW RPM LIGHT. ALSO, HE DID NOT RECALL HEARING ANY UNUSUAL NOISES OR FEELING ANY UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS BEFORE IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER & DAMAGED PARTS WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENG; AIRFRAME OR FLT CONTROL SYS WAS FOUND.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS ABOUT 10 FT AGL IN A HOVER, WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND AT 5, GUSTING 10 KTS, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED A LEFT PEDAL TURN. HE SAID THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT & ADDITIONAL LEFT PEDAL APPLICATION HAD NO EFFECT. HE ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF & ATTEMPTED TO LAND, BUT THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TURNING TO THE RIGHT & CRASHED. HE REMEMBERED HEARING THE LOW RPM WARNING HORN, BUT DID NOT REMEMBER SEEING THE LOW RPM LIGHT. ALSO, HE DID NOT RECALL HEARING ANY UNUSUAL NOISES OR FEELING ANY UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS BEFORE IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER & DAMAGED PARTS WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENG; AIRFRAME OR FLT CONTROL SYS WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:17 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN9589F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data