Hughes 369D accident near West Alton, MO
On August 7, 2025, a Hughes 369D (helicopter) was involved in an accident near West Alton, MO. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 7, 2025
- Place
- West Alton, MO
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.861°N, 90.143°W
- NTSB ID
- 20250807200732
Official records · CEN25FA307
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On August 7, 2025, about 1059 central daylight time, a Hughes (MD Helicopters) 369D helicopter, N173AL, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near West Alton, Missouri. The pilot and crewmember were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight. According to the available Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data for the helicopter, the pilot departed from the north bank of the river about 1025. He appeared to make three trips to the powerline support tower on the south bank of the river and then return to the original position on the north bank. The final ADS-B data point was recorded at 1035. No further ADS-B data was recorded. A witness located on the tow vessel reported that the helicopter pilot and lineman appeared to be attempting to attach a safety marker (orange ball) to one of the power lines. The lineman appeared to be standing on the left skid, wearing a safety harness. On the second attempt, as the pilot brought the helicopter closer to the power lines at which time the tail of the helicopter struck the line. From the witness’ vantage point, it appeared that the tailboom partially separated from the airframe with a portion of it “dangling.” The helicopter then pivoted, and the cockpit hit the line which caused sparks similar to when an electrical transformer fails. The helicopter then fell onto the barge deck and a postimpact fire ensued. The witness did not recall seeing the helicopter on fire during flight, only the sparks when the fuselage struck the line. The c
More accidents in MO
- British Aerospace Jetstream 32, Oct 20, 2004
- Pacific Aerospace Ltd 750XL, Jun 14, 2026
- De Havilland DHC-6-100, Jul 29, 2006
- Beech E-55, Jul 13, 2001
- Cessna U206G, Mar 21, 1998
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.
