Hughes 369D accident near Center Point, West Virginia, July 29, 2013
On July 29, 2013 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 1977 Hughes 369D (helicopter), registered N31HM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Center Point, West Virginia. It was an external-load flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2013 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Center Point, West Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D, built 1977 · all 369Ds on the register
- Registration
- N31HM · registry record · serial 1160027D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after trimming the top portion of a tree during helicopter tree-trimming operations, the engine experienced a gradual loss of power. The rotor rpm then began to decrease, and the "engine out" alarm illuminated and sounded. The pilot maneuvered to avoid power lines; however, during the descent, the rotor blades struck a power line pole, and the helicopter impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to all five main rotor blades and the left landing skid. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe and the air, fuel, and oil systems revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the loss of power.
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 (hover) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 789 hours in all; 515 in this make and model; 336 in the last 90 days; 104 in the last 30 days; 626 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 3, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,446 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 24, 2013; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250C20B (turboshaft); 19,083 hours total
- Operator: Dah Aircraft LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Center Point WV at 3:20 pm
- Destination: Center Point WV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KCKB, 32 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.
Other NTSB records under N31HM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.