PORTERVILLE, CA, USA
N29707
HUGHES 369D
AFTER CLIMBING TO A CRUISE ALT OF 13500 FT MSL TO CROSS THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, SOUTH OF MT WHITNEY, THE PLT ENTERED CRUISE FLT AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF APRX 120 TO 130 KTS. THE PLT'S FLT MANUAL LISTS 110 KTS AS THE VELOCITY VELOCITY TO NEVER EXCEED AT THIS PRESSURE ALT AND TEMP. THE PLT STATED THAT HE FIRST FELT A RAPID VIBRATION IN THE ANTI-TORGUE PEDALS. HE SAID HE THEN ENTERED A DESCENT. AS THE ACFT DESCENDED TO APRX 300 FT AGL IT WAS JOLTED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE AN UNCONTROLLED FORCED LANDING AND CRASHED ON A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 9000 FT. BOTH THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER SURVIVED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS BEFORE BEING FOUND BY HUNTERS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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