ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 233447
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 16 July 2007 |
| Time: | 09:10 |
| Type: |  Bell UH-1H |
| Owner/operator: | U.S. Forest Service |
| Registration: | N667HP |
| MSN: | 65-09952 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1965 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8959 hours |
| Engine model: | Allied Signal T53-703 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Benchmark, MT -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Fire fighting |
| Departure airport: | Benchmark, MT |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The purpose of the flight was to carry an external load in support of firefighting activity. The pilot departed from a nearby helibase with a visibility of 5 miles under moderate smoky conditions. While en route to another landing zone, the visibility deteriorated and the pilot reported difficulty seeing the landing zone. The pilot successfully landed at the landing zone without incident and set down a load of supplies. The ground crew then attached a load of firefighting equipment that was to be returned to the helibase. As the pilot transitioned to forward flight to depart from the landing zone, the visibility dropped, and he reportedly lost all visual reference. The helicopter settled into trees and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side. In the area of the landing zone at the time of the accident, the visibility was reported to be fluctuating between 1/4 to 1 mile due to smoke.
Probable Cause: Dense smoke/haze which restricted the pilot's visibility and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the emergency descent resulting in impact with terrain.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20070720X00969&key=1
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 02-Mar-2020 11:04 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 01-May-2022 08:39 | Ron Averes | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 12-Nov-2022 01:57 | Ron Averes | Updated [Operator] |
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