Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E accident near Delta Junction, Alaska, March 6, 2010
On March 6, 2010 at about 4:55 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, registered N26TC, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Delta Junction, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power in flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 6, 2010 · about 4:55 pm local time · cases in 2010
- Place
- Delta Junction, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- N26TC · registry record · serial 0489E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight when he heard a “pop” and the engine lost all power. He initiated an autorotation to a clearing, but was unable to reach it and had to land in an area with trees. The helicopter struck treetops during the descent and landed hard, sustaining structural damage. A postaccident inspection, including running the engine in a test cell, disclosed ample uncontaminated fuel, and no evidence of any preimpact mechanical problems with the helicopter’s engine or systems.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,100 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 8, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,381 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 15, 2010; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 SER (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aurora Aviation Services INC
The flight
- Departed from: Healy AK at 4:20 pm
- Destination: AK09 Delta Junction AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.18 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from PABI, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on December 28, 2010. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N26TC on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369 83 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 135 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 SER 530 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Wingsong Estates Airport · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Alaska 5,932 since 1982 · 825 in the last ten years
- Alaska 9,142 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ANC10LA020.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.