Hughes 369D accident near Waycross, Georgia, November 5, 2024
On November 5, 2024 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1979 Hughes 369D (helicopter), registered N11AS, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Waycross, Georgia (Waycross-Ware County airport). 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
An encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2024 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Waycross, Georgia · Waycross-Ware County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369D, built 1979 · all 369Ds on the register
- Registration
- N11AS · no longer on the register · serial 790541D
- 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 was conducting tree trimming operations on a power line right of way that consisted of a 10-blade aerial saw that was slung below the helicopter. During the cutting, a saw blade snagged a 1/2-inch cable that wrapped itself around the lower saw blades. A section of the cable broke off and struck the tail rotor assembly, damaging the stabilizers and tail rotor drive shaft. The helicopter lost all tail rotor authority and began an uncontrolled yaw, impacting the trees as it descended to the terrain where it came to rest on its left side. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and rotor blades. The operator did not report that there were any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- External load event (Rotorcraft) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Tail rotor drive system › Tail rotor drive shaft › Damaged/degraded
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Empennage structure › Horizontal stabilizer › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,900 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 85 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 1,850 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 40,678 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 2, 2024; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 24,353 hours total
- Operator: Aviation Advantage LLC
The flight
- Departed from: AYS Waycross GA at 4:54 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from AYS
Weather report (METAR): KAYS 051755Z AUTO 11009KT 10SM SCT039 SCT045 29/20 A3008 RMK AO2 T02940195 TSNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of damaged helicopter and separated tail boom.
Photograph 2 – Closeup view of damaged helicopter.
Photograph 3 – View of aerial tree trimming saw and right of way.
FOLLOW UP EXAM PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph 1 – Cable damage to stabilizer. (NTSB)
FOLLOW UP EXAM PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph 2 – Cable striation marks in stabilizer. (NTSB)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 21, 2025. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Additional Photographs | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N11AS 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.