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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 19, 1994 · Kaman HH43F · N324WN

John Day, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
John Day, OR
Aircraft
Kaman HH43F
Tail Number
N324WN
Operator
Hiser Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA179

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DISINTEGRATED IN FLIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO TREES, DUE TO THE LACK OF SUITABLE FORCED LANDING SITES. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A TURBINE COMPRESSOR WHEEL HAD FAILED.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF A TURBINE COMPRESSOR WHEEL. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN AUTOROTATION/FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On July 19, 1994, approximately 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Kaman HH43F, N324WN, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a forced landing after a loss of power while engaged in helicopter logging operations near John Day, Oregon. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured. There was no flight plan filed for the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot stated that the engine "grenaded" in flight. He attempted an autorotation into trees, as he was over a select cut with no unobstructed place to land. He said that he flew around several larger trees in an attempt to keep the rotor blades intact as long as possible. At about 40 feet elevation, with no alternatives he pulled pitch to check his descent rate, settling into the trees. Inspection by FAA inspectors noted that the number two compressor wheel failed, and the entire wheel came out of the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKaman HH43F
Tail NumberN324WN
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHiser Aviation
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T-53-L11D · Turboshaft

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt, gusting 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data