Hughes 369HS accident near Antonia, MO
On November 19, 1993, a Hughes 369HS (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Antonia, MO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 19, 1993
- Place
- Antonia, MO
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369HS · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.359°N, 90.371°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X13716
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 19, 1993, at 0346 central standard time, a Hughes 369HS, N9179F, operated as a public use aircraft by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), impacted trees and terrain while on a training mission near Antonia, Missouri. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger (observer) received fatal injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed Spirit of St. Louis Airport, at St. Louis, Missouri, at 0130. The purpose of the flight was for training using a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system. Persons involved in the training were the DEA pilot, and the Missouri State Police observer to operate the FLIR system in the helicopter; two DEA agents and one Missouri State Policeman, on the ground. The pre-arranged plan was to have the two DEA agents and the policeman travel to a pre-selected location by motor vehicle and the helicopter to follow and maintain an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet above ground level (agl). After arriving at the location, the FLIR operator was to locate one of the individuals on the ground and follow him to a private residence while remaining at the pre-arranged altitude. The operation was to take place under the cover of darkness. There was no plan to land the helicopter at the location. Two way radio communication was maintained between the helicopter and the DEA agents on the ground. During the night of the operation, one landing at an athletic field was conducted to make
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.
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Browse: Missouri · Hughes aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
