Aviation Photographers of Southern Ca.

Aviation Photos => General Aviation => Topic started by: phantomphan1974 on May 29, 2007, 08:09:54 PM

Title: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: phantomphan1974 on May 29, 2007, 08:09:54 PM
Happened to be coming home from a run down at Torrance/Redondo beach and noticed this.  All I had was my cell phone.  Darn  >:(  Everyone seemed to be fine except for the helicopter.  No specifics.  They did leave it there till tomorrow.  Maybe waiting for the NTSB.  Rotors not bent or broken.  Tail boom was rotated about 40 degrees. 
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing today
Post by: Josh on May 29, 2007, 09:11:58 PM
WOW! Could look for the NTSB report.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing today
Post by: Josh on May 29, 2007, 09:17:16 PM
Friend of mine noticed the rear still has the engine plug in, maybe cause of the crash!? wow...
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing today
Post by: phantomphan1974 on May 29, 2007, 10:01:50 PM
Before they headed out for the night they tied of the rotors and plug the exhaust, is it was not there when it crashed.  Should be there in the morning.  Parking lot west of Lowes.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing today
Post by: Josh on May 29, 2007, 10:35:55 PM
Rgr, I'll keep an eye out on the NTSB reports.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: phantomphan1974 on May 31, 2007, 04:45:00 AM
Still there yesterday and shot some better shots.  Will post them when I get a chance to edit.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: phantomphan1974 on June 01, 2007, 09:24:04 AM
Looks like it was removed yesterday as it was gone when I drove by.  Was having problems reducing in size the images.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: Josh on June 30, 2007, 12:15:51 AM
Bout time...  ::)

NTSB Identification: SEA07CA139
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, May 29, 2007 in Torrance, CA
Aircraft: Hughes 369D, registration: N935M
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport. Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers. During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard. Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control. During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: NikonGuy on November 16, 2007, 03:16:41 PM
WOW! what a small world lol. I've known the owner and pilot of that helicopter for about 2 years. I have a couple of pictures before the accident (about 2-3 months before), I'll share 1 cool pic.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: phantomphan1974 on November 17, 2007, 06:01:18 PM
Nice one Fernando.  Has he repaired it yet? 
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: NikonGuy on November 17, 2007, 06:16:21 PM
Actually I haven't seen the helicopter since the accident. I  did see him flying a Robinson 44 yesterday. I hope he repairs that cool helicopter, I just don't know how that happened because I flew with him once and he went through  like 1 million checklist's.  :D
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: phantomphan1974 on November 22, 2007, 01:56:40 PM
Was he new to flying them I wonder?  Wonder if he knows abouth this thread?  ???
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: NikonGuy on November 22, 2007, 02:10:29 PM
Not at all "Mr. Pilot" has been flying for years. He is a helicopter and airplane pilot and very experienced.
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: NikonGuy on December 26, 2008, 04:14:10 PM
Ok I took this at SMO earlier today, saw Ralph too!   :)

So he ended up not selling the ship  ;) 
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: phantomphan1974 on December 27, 2008, 05:03:34 PM
Quote from: Fernando Sedeno on December 26, 2008, 04:14:10 PM
Ok I took this at SMO earlier today, saw Ralph too!   :)

So he ended up not selling the ship  ;) 
Glad its all fixed up and he ok now.  Don't care about Ralph.  >:D
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: NikonGuy on December 27, 2008, 05:05:23 PM
Hahaha...
Title: Re: Hughes 369D Hard landing 5-29-07
Post by: Midnight Mover on December 28, 2008, 09:41:20 PM
Sounds like a happy ending ;)