Mcdonnell Douglas 369E accident near Index, Washington, September 13, 2002
On September 13, 2002 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas 369E (helicopter), registered N16005, was substantially damaged in an accident near Index, Washington. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 13, 2002 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Index, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas 369E
- Registration
- N16005 · registry record · serial 201E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was hover taxiing approximately six to twelve inches above ground level (AGL) when the helicopter's right skid contacted a large rock. The pilot stated that after contacting the rock, the helicopter pitched forward and began to rotate. Shortly thereafter the helicopter rolled onto its left side resulting in substantial damage.
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: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,847 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 18, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison C-20-B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sunset Lake WA at 6:30 pm
- Destination: Sunset Lake WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KPAE, 33 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number SEA02LA174.