Hughes 369HS accident near Mattituck, New York, May 28, 2006
On May 28, 2006 at about 7:18 pm local time, a Hughes 369HS (helicopter), registered N9244F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mattituck, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2006 · about 7:18 pm local time
- Place
- Mattituck, New York
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369HS · all 369HSs on the register
- Registration
- N9244F · no longer on the register · serial 3507722S
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While aggressively maneuvering over the shore and ocean, below 100 feet above ground level, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot entered an autorotation, and activated the float system. The helicopter impacted the water in a level attitude, but with enough forward speed to become submerged and then bounce 15 to 18 feet back into the air. The helicopter impacted the water a second time, but this time inverted. Both occupants egressed the submerged helicopter, and were rescued shortly after reaching the surface. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed main rotor blade damage consistent with a loss of power; however examination of the engine and powertrain were inconclusive.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all; 1,400 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,290.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2005; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Mattituck NY at 7:10 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from FOK, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.