Hughes 369A accident near Hampton, Georgia, June 10, 2000
On June 10, 2000 at about 6:25 pm local time, a Hughes 369A (helicopter), registered N330CM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hampton, Georgia (Clayton County/Tara Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to foreign object damage to the turbine wheel assembly.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 2000 · about 6:25 pm local time
- Place
- Hampton, Georgia · Clayton County/Tara Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369A · all 369As on the register
- Registration
- N330CM · registry record · serial 291060
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Approximately 10 minutes into the demonstration flight, the engine oil temperature increased near red line. The pilot elected to return and land at the departure airport. While enroute to land, the engine lost power, and the pilot initiated an autorotation for an emergency landing. The helicopter collided with the ground between the runway and the parallel taxiway, and rolled over on the right side. During the post-accident engine examination, two unknown pieces of metal were found in the engine assembly. The post-metallurgical examination of the two pieces of metal revealed that the metal was a copper-aluminum alloy. Neither piece was used in the manufacture of the engine or any of its components. The entry origin of the unknown metal material into the engine was not determined.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 169 hours in all; 98 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 85 as pilot in command; 74 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,235 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 21, 2000; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison T63-A700 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4A7 at 6:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,503 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from FFC, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.