This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Monday 18 March 2024 |
| Time: | 17:20 |
| Type: |  Hughes 369D |
| Owner/operator: | Signature Utility Services LLC |
| Registration: | N102SU |
| MSN: | 700736D |
| Year of manufacture: | 1980 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Belleville, WV -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | External load operation |
| Departure airport: | Jackson County Airport, WV (I18) |
| Belleville, WV (landing zone) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On March 18, 2024, about 1720 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N102SU, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Belleville, West Virginia. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 rotorcraft external load flight.
According to the pilot, he was conducting tree trimming operations and previously completed several flights throughout the day with no abnormalities noted. During the accident flight, while trimming trees northbound above a creek, the pilot encountered some challenges with encroaching tree limbs. The pilot was assessing the feasibility of cutting the tree line safely, when he heard a loud “boom”, which was followed by the helicopter entering a rapid descent. He maneuvered toward smaller trees to minimize the impact. He briefly lowered the collective to preserve rotor rpm, and then raised the collective just before impact. The pilot said he intentionally did not release the cutting saw, hoping it would aid in cushioning the impact.
The helicopter was recovered and retained for further examination.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://wchstv.com/news/local/one-person-injured-in-helicopter-crash-in-wood-county
https://newsashgad.lighting/31stRpV51584Pklkz/
https://www.wsaz.com/2024/03/18/crews-respond-helicopter-crash/?
NTSB
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 9 June 1994 | N1088G | Highline Helicopters | 0 | Snoqualmie, WA | |
sub |
| 4 January 2007 | N1088G | Highline Helicopters | 0 | Lyman, Washington | |
sub |
Location
Media:
BREAKING: One person hurt in helicopter crash in Wood County. @BobAaronWCHS is on the scene pic.twitter.com/vqFRWFDWG2
— Leslie Rubin (@LeslieRubinWCHS) March 18, 2024
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 19-Mar-2024 05:35 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 19-Mar-2024 06:07 | ASN | Updated [Time, Narrative] |
| 19-Mar-2024 06:09 | ASN | Updated [Aircraft type, Embed code] |
| 19-Mar-2024 06:22 | RobertMB | Updated [Time, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Location, Source, Embed code, Damage, Narrative] |
| 19-Mar-2024 12:34 | Anon. | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator, Source] |
| 19-Mar-2024 13:19 | ASN | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 15-May-2024 18:18 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation