HUGHES 369
Baxley, GA — November 6, 2009
Event Information
| Date | November 6, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA10LA053 |
| Event ID | 20091109X75117 |
| Location | Baxley, GA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 31.74139, -82.36278 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | HUGHES |
| Model | 369 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the main fuel valve position.
Full Narrative
On November 6, 2009, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N89ZC, registered to Extreme Helicopters Inc, crashed into a field while conducting an autorotation following a loss of engine power, in Baxley, Georgia. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating from a private residence in Baxley, Georgia.
According to the pilot, the helicopter lost power less than a minute after takeoff. The helicopter rolled over onto its left side during the subsequent autorotation, substantially damaging the main rotor blades and airframe. The pilot further stated that the cause of the loss of engine power was that the “main fuel valve was pulled causing fuel starvation to the engine."
Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found the helicopter on its left side, with damage to the main rotor blades and tail rotor.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.