McDonnell Douglas MD369D N58269
4 August 1996 · Healy, Alaska, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 4 August 1996 at about 18:30 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD369D registered N58269, operated by Tundra Copters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Healy, Alaska, United States. 9 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Healy, Alaska, United States
- Coordinates
- 63.6791, -150.0290
- Aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas MD369D
- Registration
- N58269
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Tundra Copters, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Not recorded
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ANC96LA111
People
4 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Probable cause
The inadequate visual outlook by the pilots of both aircraft, and their failure to see and avoid the other aircraft. A factor associated with the accident was sunglare affecting the helicopter pilot's vision.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The McDonnell Douglas MD-369 helicopter, N58269, was flying in an easterly direction about 400 feet msl. The pilot said he was looking for potential landing sites which would allow the passengers/geologists to explore nearby rock formations. The pilot looked up and saw an airplane head-on an instant before impact. The helicopter's tailrotor drive shaft was severed in the impact, and the helicopter soon begin to spin. The pilot was able to make a partially controlled emergency landing in brushy terrain. The helicopter pilot said prior to impact with the airplane, his forward vision was partially restricted due to sun glare. The Cessna 185, N5246E, was flying in a westerly direction. The pilot said he saw the helicopter when it was slightly below, and directly in front of him. He said he just had a moment to pull back on the control wheel and try to turn left. He felt an impact, and later discovered the helicopter's tailrotor had damaged the airplane's lower fuselage, and knocked the tailwheel off. He was able to continue to his destination and made an uneventful landing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonnell Douglas MD369D MD369D | N58269 | Tundra Copters, Inc. | - |
| Cessna 185 185 | N5246E | - | Substantial |
Other McDonnell Douglas MD369D accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Oct 1991 | McDonnell Douglas MD369D | Beech Grove, Indiana, United States | Miami Valley Services | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Apr 1996 | Piper PA-28 | Wasilla, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Apr 1996 | Piper PA-11 | Paxson, Alaska, United States | Mark W. Barkdull | No injuries | - |
| 24 Apr 1996 | Piper PA-14 | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | David Calkins | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1996 | Piper PA-18 | Kotzebue, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1996 | Cessna 180H | Palmer, Alaska, United States | Richard Greeno | No injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 1996 | Piper PA-18 | Kasilof, Alaska, United States | Paul G. Isaak | No injuries | - |