Hughes 369D accident near Kooskia, ID
On January 8, 2010, a Hughes 369D (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kooskia, ID. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- January 8, 2010
- Place
- Kooskia, ID
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.721°N, 115.086°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100108X85031
Official records · WPR10GA102
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 08, 2010, about 1220 mountain standard time, a Hughes 369D, N500LW, experienced a loss of engine power and landed hard in the wilderness near Kooskia, Idaho. The helicopter was being operated under contract to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game by Quicksilver Air, Inc., as a public flight. The air transport pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local area flight originated from a ranger station about 25 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator, one of the passengers reported that both he and the other passenger were employed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. He stated that the purpose of the flight was a wolf capturing mission. While maneuvering around the area where Kelly Creek and Moose Creek intersect, several wolves were spotted. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter closer to the wolves' location, a loud "bang" emitted from the engine compartment, followed by a loss of engine power and slight vibration. The rugged terrain below was densely populated by trees. With the low rotor rpm light illuminated, the pilot attempted to fly the helicopter toward an opening. The helicopter landed hard on ice. After being released from the hospital the pilot spoke to an NTSB investigator and recalled that prior to the accident, he was maneuvering the helicopter in a hover about 300 to 400 feet above the ground. He heard a "bang," which was immediately followed b
Probable cause
A complete loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 bearing, which was precipitated by electrical arcing that occurred at an unknown time prior to the accident flight.
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Browse: Idaho · 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.
