No fatalities

HUGHES 369 D accident at Elberon, VA, 5 Aug 2023

Elberon, VA, United States

On August 5, 2023, a HUGHES 369 D operated by HAVERFIELD INTERNATIONAL INC was involved in an aviation accident near Elberon, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotMain rotor blade system

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Aug 2023 HUGHES 369 D accident near Elberon, VA?

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Aug 2023 HUGHES 369 D accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Aug 2023 involved a HUGHES 369 D, operated by HAVERFIELD INTERNATIONAL INC, at Elberon, VA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.