On July 5, 1988, a Hughes 369D (registration N32CT) operated by Cng Transmission Corp was involved in an aviation accident near Clarksburg, WV. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a training flight, a student pilot performed a landing described as not hard, but the helicopter slid and turned after a noise was heard. Examination revealed the main rotor had struck and sheared the tailboom about three feet in front of the tailrotor gearbox. No malfunctions were found.
Accident Sequence
During a training flight, a student pilot, under the supervision of an instructor pilot, had completed several practice maneuvers. The session then transitioned to straight-in landings. After the instructor demonstrated a landing, the student performed his own first landing. The student then attempted a second landing. The instructor observed that this landing was not excessively hard and involved no bouncing. Immediately after the landing, the aircraft slid forward about six feet. The instructor then heard a noise. Subsequently, the aircraft slowly yawed approximately 120 degrees and stopped.
Post-Accident Inspection
An inspection of the aircraft following the accident showed that the main rotor had struck the tailboom and sheared it about three feet forward of the tailrotor gearbox. The instructor stated that there was no indication of any system malfunctions, and the examination did not uncover any such issues.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 5 Jul 1988 Hughes 369D accident near Clarksburg, WV?
During a training flight, a student pilot performed a landing described as not hard, but the helicopter slid and turned after a noise was heard. Examination revealed the main rotor had struck and sheared the tailboom about three feet in front of the tailrotor gearbox. No malfunctions were found.
Were there any fatalities in the 5 Jul 1988 Hughes 369D accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 5 Jul 1988 involved a Hughes 369D, registration N32CT, operated by Cng Transmission Corp, at Clarksburg, WV.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…