Accident Bell UH-1E N5088J,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 359603
 
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Date:Monday 31 October 1994
Time:17:30 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic UH1 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Bell UH-1E
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: N5088J
MSN: 154696
Total airframe hrs:7309 hours
Engine model:LYCOMING T53-L-13B
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Willits, CA -   United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature:Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SERIES OF SLING LOAD LOGGING OPERATIONS. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE LOGGING AREA AFTER SETTING DOWN THE LAST LOG. DURING THE CLIMB-OUT, THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY STRUCK A TREE AND SEPARATED FROM ITS ATTACH BRACKET. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING AT THE COMPLETION OF THE AUTOROTATION. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER'S 90-DEGREE GEARBOX DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FATIGUE ON THE FRACTURED SURFACES. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

Probable Cause: that the pilot misjudged the distance between the helicopter and the trees.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: LAX95LA030
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 6 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB LAX95LA030

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
15-Mar-2024 12:39 ASN Update Bot Added

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