Hughes 369 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 434 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

434

All Events

203

Incidents

81

Minor

64

Serious

82

Fatal (123 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Feb 21, 1997 MILOLII, HI N505RM Serious (3) substantial
failure of the tail rotor for undetermined reason(s), resulting in tail rotor imbalance, separation of the tail rotor, and an autorotative landing on …

failure of the tail rotor for undetermined reason(s), resulting in tail rotor imbalance, separation of the tail rotor, and an autorotative landing on rough terrain with high vegetation. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Jan 07, 1997 WELLINGTON, CO N9089F Minor destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft and his improper autorotation technique that induced the roll and subsequent ground collision.…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft and his improper autorotation technique that induced the roll and subsequent ground collision. A factor was his lack of recurrent training.

Nov 16, 1996 FORKS, WA N5225C Serious (1) substantial
fuel contamination, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident included: improper servicing of the helicopter, and a la…

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.

Oct 28, 1996 VESTABURG, MI N9251F Fatal (1) substantial failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the wires.
Oct 19, 1996 WATKINS, CO N34CM Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper decision to attempt a hovering autorotation during gusty wind conditions. A factor was the gusty wind.
Oct 15, 1996 HESSTON, KS N504AP Incident substantial
the pilot selected unsuitable terrain for landing. The factors involved were: an inoperative landing light, dusk light conditions, and the terrain co…

the pilot selected unsuitable terrain for landing. The factors involved were: an inoperative landing light, dusk light conditions, and the terrain condition.

Jul 09, 1996 HONOLULU, HI N64MK Incident substantial the failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate clearance from each other while in formation flight.
Jul 06, 1996 MCMINNVILLE, OR N5110Y Minor substantial
improper maintenance (replacement) and inspection of the engine fuel governor by company maintenance personnel, the pilot's inadequate preflight inspe…

improper maintenance (replacement) and inspection of the engine fuel governor by company maintenance personnel, the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and a subsequent disconnect of the adjustable governor lever control rod, which disabled the engine speed governor and resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: trees and soft terrain in the emergency landing area, and a tailwind during the forced landing touchdown.

Jun 26, 1996 KETCHIKAN, AK N5125Q Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing was a factor in the accident.
Jun 24, 1996 LAS CRUCES, NM N521TC Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the tail rotor and a fence while hovering.
May 31, 1996 AROCK, OR N444GJ Incident substantial the pilot's failure to see and avoid the transmission wire. A factor was the low altitude flight.
May 02, 1996 YUMA, AZ N5184C Minor destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering close to the ground. The unfavorable wind condition was a related facto…

failure of the pilot to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering close to the ground. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.

May 01, 1996 YUMA, AZ N5062Q Incident substantial
failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and/or clearance from obstacles, while maneuvering a low altitude at night. Factors relating to the accident…

failure of the pilot to maintain altitude and/or clearance from obstacles, while maneuvering a low altitude at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness and the lack of visual cues.

Apr 14, 1996 YERINGTON, NV N519BH Incident substantial
the partial loss of engine power and the pilot's misjudged flare during an autorotation landing in soft dirt with excessive forward speed. The power …

the partial loss of engine power and the pilot's misjudged flare during an autorotation landing in soft dirt with excessive forward speed. The power loss resulted from flight operations in an environment which debris contaminated the engine's nozzle port and compressor assembly.

Feb 19, 1996 DWEESE, NE N5141Y Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision, and his lack of total experience in the type of operation. A factor was the crosswind.
Dec 20, 1995 FEATHER FALLS, CA N8395F Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's failure to jettison his external load after it came in contact with trees and terrain. The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance…

the pilot's failure to jettison his external load after it came in contact with trees and terrain. The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance above trees and hilly terrain was a related factor.

Nov 29, 1995 SCOTTS MILLS, OR N64DB Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE GROUND.
Nov 27, 1995 LEAKEY, TX N8312F Minor substantial
improper planning/decision by the pilot, by failing to ensure there was adequate fuel on board, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent rol…

improper planning/decision by the pilot, by failing to ensure there was adequate fuel on board, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent roll-over during a forced landing on hilly terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: downsloping terrain in the emergency landing area.

Nov 09, 1995 CRYSTAL, MI N58231 Incident substantial
fuel contamination resulting in the loss of engine power, and improper fuel sump screen installation on the nurse truck resulting in contamination of …

fuel contamination resulting in the loss of engine power, and improper fuel sump screen installation on the nurse truck resulting in contamination of the fuel supply.

Oct 12, 1995 HANA, HI N9205F Minor substantial
the loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance inspection of the fuel system which permitted air to enter the engine fuel supply. A factor i…

the loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance inspection of the fuel system which permitted air to enter the engine fuel supply. A factor in the accident was the pilot's improper execution of the autorotation landing.

Jul 04, 1995 ORTING, WA N9196F Serious (3) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE CABLE.
Jun 26, 1995 HIGHLAND, CA N1089N Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to verify the security of his passenger's cargo/personal belongings which departed the aircraft striking the tailrotor.
Mar 25, 1995 BURNET, TX N3961H Incident substantial
FAILURE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE AUTOROTATION AND HIS DELAYED FLARE. A FACTOR WAS: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE FUEL…

FAILURE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE AUTOROTATION AND HIS DELAYED FLARE. A FACTOR WAS: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WHILE USING AVIATION GASOLINE VICE JET FUEL.

Jan 19, 1995 TAMPA, FL N4TP Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AS A RESULT OF BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED WHILE MANEUVERING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AS A RESULT OF BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED WHILE MANEUVERING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT WITH NO VISIBLE HORIZON.

Sep 24, 1994 PACIFIC OCEAN, PO N58400 Serious (2) destroyed
failure of the helicopter's main rotor pitch change link (control rod). The helicopter was not recovered and the Safety Board was unable to determine…

failure of the helicopter's main rotor pitch change link (control rod). The helicopter was not recovered and the Safety Board was unable to determine the pitch change link's failure mode.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data