Hughes 369HS accident near Marion, Ohio, February 24, 1997
On February 24, 1997 at about 5:05 pm local time, a Hughes 369HS (helicopter), registered N340EM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marion, Ohio. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Uncovering of the fuel tanks outlet, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 24, 1997 · about 5:05 pm local time
- Place
- Marion, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369HS · all 369HSs on the register
- Registration
- N340EM · registry record · serial 1290226S
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had the fuel tank topped off 9 days before the accident and flew the helicopter for 15 minutes. On the day of the accident he added an additional 5 gallons. About 1 1/2 hours after takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot autorotated to a field and landed hard. Examination of the engine did not reveal any engine abnormalities or malfunctions. The helicopter's total fuel capacity was 64 gallons, of which 63.4 gallons was useable. When the helicopter was leveled and electrical power applied, the low fuel light was illuminated, and 5 3/4 gallons were pumped out by the fuel boost pump. According to the helicopter's flight manual, at low fuel level, sideslip may cause the fuel tank outlet to become uncovered causing fuel starvation. A review of the pilot's log book revealed that he was not helicopter rated, but had a helicopter solo endorsement that expired about 60 days prior to the accident.
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: foreign licence, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,495 hours in all; 105 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 1996; 71 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,890 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C10D (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PHN Port Huron MI
- Destination: I78 Marysville OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.