Summary
On November 16, 1996, a Hughes 369D (N5225C) was involved in an accident near Forks, WA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Fuel contamination, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident included: improper servicing of the helicopter, and a lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing due to the proximity of trees.
On November 16, 1996, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a McDonnell Douglas 369D helicopter, N5225C, sustained substantial damage when it landed in trees after a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The aircraft was involved in external load operations near Forks, Washington. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The ELT did not actuate.
According to FAA inspectors and manufacturer's representatives, the engine fuel nozzle collapsed from contamination of fuel. According to the operator, the contaminant was preliminarily identified as sugar/starch, possibly carboxymethyl cellulose.
This accident is documented in NTSB report SEA97LA032. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5225C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
fuel contamination, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident included: improper servicing of the helicopter, and a lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing due to the proximity of trees.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On November 16, 1996, approximately 1500 Pacific standard time, a McDonnell Douglas 369D helicopter, N5225C, sustained substantial damage when it landed in trees after a loss of engine power. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The aircraft was involved in external load operations near Forks, Washington. No flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The ELT did not actuate.
According to FAA inspectors and manufacturer's representatives, the engine fuel nozzle collapsed from contamination of fuel. According to the operator, the contaminant was preliminarily identified as sugar/starch, possibly carboxymethyl cellulose. The operator contracted with Pacific Testing Laboratories to test samples from the fuel supplier, from the storage tank, and the helicopter's fuel filter. The testing found the fuel supplier's sample to be free of contamination, but found similar contamination in the storage tank and the helicopter fuel filter.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA97LA032