Mcdonnell Douglas H-369 accident near Delta Junction, Alaska, April 6, 1996
On April 6, 1996 at about 10:20 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas H-369 (helicopter), registered N58268, was substantially damaged in an accident near Delta Junction, Alaska. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 6, 1996 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- Delta Junction, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas H-369
- Registration
- N58268 · no longer on the register · serial 1280420D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot noted an unscheduled spool down during cruise flight, and initiated an autorotation. After lowering the collective pitch, he noticed that the engine was still producing power. He applied collective pitch and attempted to climb out. However, the engine again spooled down, and another autorotation was made. Subsequently, the helicopter touched down with forward speed and nosed over. The pilot stated the engine was still running after touchdown, and he performed an engine shutdown. During a subsequent engine test run at Allison, the engine started, accelerated, and decelerated normally. Maximum power output was 4.9 percent below normal. No other discrepancies were found.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,580 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 3,330 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,409 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 6, 1995; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Big Delta AK
- Destination: Field Site AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 18 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.