McDonnell Douglas 369E N1604L
29 December 1989 · Santa Rosa, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 29 December 1989 at about 19:30 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E registered N1604L, operated by Interwest, Inc., was involved in an accident near Santa Rosa, California, United States. 5 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured, 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Santa Rosa, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Sonoma County (STS)
- Coordinates
- 36.5309, -120.9598
- Aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas 369E
- Registration
- N1604L
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Interwest, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX90FA060
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT ALLOWING THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT TO BE EXCEEDED, AND THE TAILWIND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT EXECUTED AN IMMEDIATE LEFT DOWNWIND CLIMBING TURN WHEN HE DEPARTED THE HELIPAD AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. BEFORE DEPARTING, THE PILOT FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE DOWNWIND TURN AND THE HELICOPTER'S EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE LATERAL TRIM MOTOR EXCEEDED ITS PHYSICAL EXTENSION LIMITS WHICH INDICATES THAT THE TRIM MOTOR WAS OPERATING DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE WHEN ITS AIRFRAME ATTACHMENT POINT WAS BROKEN.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other McDonnell Douglas 369 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1989 | McDonnell Douglas 369HS | Oklee, Minnesota, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 17 Nov 1989 | McDonnell Douglas 369 | Barstow, California, United States | Helicopters International | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 May 1988 | McDonnell Douglas 369D | Waialua, Hawaii, United States | Cherry Helicopters, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 May 1990 | McDonnell Douglas 369E | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | Aviation, IO | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Dec 1990 | McDonnell Douglas 369D | Haleakla Nat Pk, Hawaii, United States | Paciffic Helicopter Tours | Fatal | 1 |
| 18 Dec 1990 | McDonnell Douglas 369D | Keanae, Hawaii, United States | Pacific Helicopters Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-31-350 | Ontario, California, United States | Ameriflight | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Sep 1989 | Piper PA-25-235 | Warner Springs, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1989 | Cessna 310K | Ojai, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 182 | Eureka, California, United States | Nothern Air | No injuries | - |
| 30 Sep 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lancaster, California, United States | West Coast Air Center | Fatal | 2 |
| 29 Sep 1989 | Bellanca 17-30A | Palo Alto, California, United States | Klouda, Linda K. | Minor injuries | - |