Hughes 369 accident near Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, August 22, 2018
On August 22, 2018 at about 3:26 pm local time, a 1981 Hughes 369 (helicopter), registered N89ZC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Ridgeway, Pennsylvania. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 2018 · about 3:26 pm local time
- Place
- Ridgeway, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369 D, built 1981 · all 369s on the register
- Registration
- N89ZC · no longer on the register · serial 1098D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after a high reconnaissance of the area, he descended the helicopter to about 30 ft above power lines to inspect them while flying about 30 to 35 knots. While patrolling, he climbed over an identified crossing line and then initiated a descent. During the descent, the passenger spotted a previously unseen power line in their flightpath, so the pilot "pulled hard aft cyclic with right pedal," but the main rotor blades struck the power line. The helicopter's main rotor system began vibrating, but the pilot was able to land without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with 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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › Main rotor blade system › Damaged/degraded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,354 hours in all; 594 in this make and model; 138 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 2,263 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 25, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rotor Blade LLC
The flight
- Departed from: OYM St Marys PA at 4:15 pm
- Destination: OYM St Marys PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 4:02 pm from KDUJ, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 5, 2019. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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 N89ZC 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.