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NTSB Report
September 1, 1983 · Hughes 500D · N277SP
Portales, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Portales, NM
Aircraft
Hughes 500D
Tail Number
N277SP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA421
THE PLT LANDED AT PORTALES, NM WITH ABOUT 7 GAL OF JET FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. SINCE JET FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE, HE ADDED 15 GAL OF 100 LOW LEAD AVGAS, WHICH WAS AN APPROVED ALTERNATE FUEL. SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ENG FLAMED OUT & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A RESTART. DURING AN EMERENCY LANDING, THE TAIL BOOM & MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE START FUEL PUMP WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLT MANUAL & THAT THE AUTORELIGHT SYS WAS ARMED. THE ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FLAMEOUT WAS FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE PLT LANDED AT PORTALES, NM WITH ABOUT 7 GAL OF JET FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. SINCE JET FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE, HE ADDED 15 GAL OF 100 LOW LEAD AVGAS, WHICH WAS AN APPROVED ALTERNATE FUEL. SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ENG FLAMED OUT & THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A RESTART. DURING AN EMERENCY LANDING, THE TAIL BOOM & MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE START FUEL PUMP WAS IN THE 'ON' POSITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLT MANUAL & THAT THE AUTORELIGHT SYS WAS ARMED. THE ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FLAMEOUT WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MDT
Nearest Airport15nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 500D
Tail NumberN277SP
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 4 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO