Probable cause
An in-flight fire for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he had been airborne for a little over an hour and was at an altitude of 3,000 feet and cruising at 100 knots. The pilot stated that he smelled smoke and felt an unusual vibration. The pilot immediately made a precautionary landing in a parking lot. As he and his passengers were exiting the helicopter, the pilot noted a fire. The pilot was unable to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher and the helicopter was subsequently consumed. Due to the extensive thermal damage, postaccident examination of the helicopter by two Federal Aviation Administration inspectors could not determine the source of the fire.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA308 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 22, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Paicines, California
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Hughes 369HS
- N-number
- N8305F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.