Hughes 369 N5184C

Summary

On 2 May 1996 at about 17:22 local time, a Hughes 369 registered N5184C was involved in an accident near Yuma, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 May 1996 at 17:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Yuma, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

32.7193, -114.5102

Aircraft

Hughes 369

Registration

N5184C

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX96TA187

1 person had minor injuries.

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering close to the ground. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was proceeding eastbound about 50 feet above ground level, when something on the ground got his attention. He initiated a left turn, then started a sweeping right turn to position the helicopter for a better obversation of tracks on the ground. The wind at that time was estimated to be variable from southeast to the south-southwest at 20 mph with gusts to 25 to 30 mph. The pilot reported that during the last stage of the right turn, he lost control of the helicopter, and it collided with the ground. The pilot remembered that the helicopter fishtailed and porpoised before it impacted. Also, there was no reported mechanical problem before the accident, nor was the rotor rpm determined before impact.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.