ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 296634
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| Date: | Saturday 14 September 2002 |
| Time: | 10:45 LT |
| Type: |  Bell-Garlick OH-58AT |
| Owner/operator: | Joe Brigham Inc |
| Registration: | N444JB |
| MSN: | 71-20362 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1971 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 5760 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-20 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | ROCHESTER, Massachusetts -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | CARVER, MA (5MA4) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot made numerous successful lifts into the wind, with similar cranberry loads. The accident occurred during the first lift attempt at a new location. The helicopter was hovering about 12 feet above the ground, forward of the load and with a left quartering tailwind, while the ground crew secured a 900-pound cargo basket to a 15-foot sling load line. Once the load was secured, the helicopter flew forward and dragged the cargo basket. There was a "large pop" sound, and a foot-long flame exited the left exhaust pipe. The cargo basket was dragged into a ditch and the pilot jettisoned the load. After the load was released, the helicopter pitched up, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and the main rotor assembly separated from the helicopter. The helicopter fell to the ground and rolled over, onto its left side. Examination of the main rotor assembly revealed that it had separated from the main rotor mast below the contact areas for the static stops. There were no obstructions that would have impeded the pilot from departing into the wind.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to center the sling load prior to commencing forward flight. Also causal, was the pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in an engine compressor stall.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB IAD02LA094
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Oct-2022 08:52 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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