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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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November 19, 1994 · Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 · N4258V

Yamhill, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Yamhill, OR
Aircraft
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
Tail Number
N4258V
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA023

WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING MANEUVERED TO PICK UP A LOAD OF CHRISTMAS TREES, THE EXTERNAL LOAD HOOK BECAME ENTANGLED IN A BUNDLE OF TREES THAT WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND. WHEN THE HOOK PULLED LOOSE FROM THIS BUNDLE, IT REBOUNDED UP INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE BLADES RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE, WHILE MANEUVERING TO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE EXTERNAL LOAD CABLE/HOOK TO BECOME SNAGGED AND TO REBOUND INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES.

Full Narrative

On November 19, 1994, approximately 1325 Pacific standard time (PST), a Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 helicopter, N4258V, collided with the terrain after the long-line it was using impacted the main rotor system. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 133 long- line operation, which was moving bundles of Christmas trees at a tree farm about four miles east of Yamhill, Oregon, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the operator, the hook on the long-line accidently became caught in a bundle of trees as the pilot was attempting to maneuver the line to the ground crew while in a hover. As the helicopter moved sideways, the line became taunt, and then pulled loose from the bundle. After it pulled loose, the line shot up into the main rotor, resulting in damage to the blades. The helicopter then experienced an uncontrolled descent into the terrain, at which time it received substantial damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFairchild Hiller FH-1100
Tail NumberN4258V
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C18 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data