Incident
On June 22, 2010, at 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369HS helicopter, registration N8305F, was substantially damaged by fire following a precautionary landing near Paicines, California. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Del Rio Aviation, Inc., operated the helicopter under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which had originated from Paso Robles, California, at approximately 1315. No flight plan had been filed.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that after being airborne for a little over an hour at an altitude of 3,000 feet, cruising at 100 knots on a 335-degree course, he smelled smoke and felt a "different" vibration. He immediately performed a precautionary landing in a parking lot. As the pilot and passengers were exiting the helicopter, the pilot observed a fire. He attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful, and the helicopter was subsequently consumed by fire.
Postaccident Examination
Due to extensive thermal damage, postaccident examination of the helicopter by two Federal Aviation Administration inspectors could not determine the source of the fire.