How many accidents has the Hughes 369 had?

The NTSB has recorded 434 events involving the Hughes 369: 82 fatal, 64 serious, 81 minor injuries, and 203 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Hughes 369 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Hughes 369 has 434 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Hughes 369 Safety Record

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

434

All Events

203

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (123 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Sep 30, 1997	MORGAN, UT	N9102F	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control because he exceeded the helicopter's hover performance. A factor was the high density altitude.
May 21, 1997	MOCLIPS, WA	N8306F	Incident	substantial	Inadequate installation of the fuel control by company maintenance personnel and a loose nut on a line. A disconnected Pc line was a factor.
Feb 24, 1997	MARION, OH	N340EM	Incident	substantial	Uncovering of the fuel tanks outlet, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. A related factor was the unsuitable terra… Uncovering of the fuel tanks outlet, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Aug 28, 1994	BUTLER, PA	N5027P	Incident	substantial	The malfunction of the emergency fuel vent and the exhaustion of the fuel supply which resulted in the loss of engine power.
Aug 18, 1994	CUSTER, SD	N74AW	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain on which to perform an autorotation. A factor in this accident was the hidden obstruction.
Jul 03, 1994	WEST JORDAN, UT	N9029F	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER DESCENT RATE AND HIS DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.
Jun 10, 1994	SNOQUALMIE, WA	N1088G	Incident	substantial	POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED AND TAILWIND.
Jun 07, 1994	KANEOHE, HI	N4943T	Incident	substantial	the operator's and pilot's failure to ensure that the cargo net containing empty paper bags was sufficiently ballasted to prevent it from flying up in… the operator's and pilot's failure to ensure that the cargo net containing empty paper bags was sufficiently ballasted to prevent it from flying up into the tail rotor.
Dec 22, 1993	WAIMEA, KAUAI, HI	N115HD	Incident	substantial	AN INADEQUATE ENGINE COMPRESSOR CLEANING PROCEDURE SPECIFIED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE LETTER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DU… AN INADEQUATE ENGINE COMPRESSOR CLEANING PROCEDURE SPECIFIED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE LETTER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CONTAMINATION, BLOCKAGE, AND COLLAPSE OF THE FUEL NOZZLE INLET SCREEN. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LACK OF A SPECIFIED PERIODIC INSPECTION REQUIREMENT FOR THE NOZZLE SCREEN AND THE UNSUITABLE NATURE OF THE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Sep 15, 1993	GEORGETOWN, CA	N501RR	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER IMPROPERLY PLANNING HIS APPROACH TO A HOVER BY AVOIDING CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SETTLING WITH… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER IMPROPERLY PLANNING HIS APPROACH TO A HOVER BY AVOIDING CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SETTLING WITH POWER. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE TREES.
Aug 28, 1993	MOUNT ILIAMNA, AK	N5074R	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND GUSTY WINDS.
Jul 24, 1993	CORDOVA, AK	N3115Y	Incident	substantial	A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Jun 11, 1993	KAHULUI, HI	N1113L	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE GROUND OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE WHILE ENGAGED IN A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION.
Dec 22, 1992	HILO, HI	N113RS	Incident	substantial	THE BEARING FAILURES DUE TO THE OPERATOR'S USE OF IMPROPER MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND OVERHAUL PROCEDURES BY INSTALLING AN UNSERVICEABLE COMPRESSOR MO… THE BEARING FAILURES DUE TO THE OPERATOR'S USE OF IMPROPER MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND OVERHAUL PROCEDURES BY INSTALLING AN UNSERVICEABLE COMPRESSOR MODULE IN THE HELICOPTER ENGINE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNSUITABLE NATURE OF THE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE TAIL WIND CONDITION DURING THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN.
Nov 27, 1992	SCOTTS MILLS, OR	N9228F	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S MISJUDGED DESCENT. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

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

Hughes 369 Safety Record

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