Hughes 369D accident near Carroll Township, Pennsylvania, October 30, 2008
On October 30, 2008 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Hughes 369D (helicopter), registered N606AS, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Carroll Township, Pennsylvania. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the improper assembly of the compressor discharge tubes to the combustion liner.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 30, 2008 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Carroll Township, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D · all 369Ds on the register
- Registration
- N606AS · registry record · serial 510987D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was performing low-level external-load (saw) tree trimming operations when the engine lost power and the helicopter subsequently descended into trees and terrain. Detailed examination of the engine revealed evidence of an improper assembly of the compressor discharge tubes to the combustion liner, and evidence of an improper interim repair. Further metallurgical examination of the combustion section revealed evidence of non-uniform combustion patterns, and a subsequent distortion of the materials, which ultimately resulted in rubbing of the first stage turbine wheel and failure of a turbine blade in high cycle fatigue.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Compressor section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,198 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model; 249 in the last 90 days; 61 in the last 30 days; 3,979 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 5, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,020 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 5, 2008; 50 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B; 0 hours total
- Operator: Aerial Solutions, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Carroll Twnshp PA
- Destination: Carroll Twnshp PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.43 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from CXY, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.