Hughes 369HS N2058X

Summary

On 5 April 2009 at about 12:00 local time, a Hughes 369HS registered N2058X, operated by HUSA Inc., was involved in an accident near Pacific Ocean, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 April 2009 at 12:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Pacific Ocean, United States

Coordinates

36.5141, -122.5402

Aircraft

Hughes 369HS

Registration

N2058X

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

HUSA Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pacific Ocean → Pacific Ocean

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA244

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an object during takeoff from the deck of a fishing vessel.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A representative of the operator reported that during takeoff from the deck of a fishing vessel, the tail rotor contacted an object on the deck. In his statement, the pilot said that during takeoff for a local fish spotting flight, the helicopter experienced a “violent movement to the right.” Despite the pilot’s input of left pedal, he was unable to regain control of the helicopter. The helicopter landed hard on the deck, resulting in the collapse of the left landing skid. Subsequently the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its side while remaining on the deck. Examination of the helicopter by the pilot revealed structural damage to the tail boom, tail rotor, and main rotor assembly. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter or its flight control systems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.