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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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January 10, 1995 · Kaman HH43 · N321WN

Glendale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Glendale, AZ
Aircraft
Kaman HH43
Tail Number
N321WN
Operator
Freeway Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA075

DURING A CLEANUP RUN OVER A FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME TREE BRANCHES WITH THE RIGHT MAIN ROTOR BLADE WHICH RESULTED IN A SEVERE VIBRATION AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE TAILBOOM. THE PILOT MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING INTO A MUDDY FIELD. THE TREE BRANCHES EXTENDED 15 TO 20 FEET INTO THE FIELD. THERE WERE NO RESTRICTIONS OR OBSCURATION TO VISIBILITY REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout to avoid a collision with a tree during an aerial application swath run.

Full Narrative

On January 9, 1995, at 1740 mountain standard time, a Kaman HH- 43F helicopter, N321WN, collided with a tree and crashed into a field during a Part 137 aerial application flight near Glendale, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The aircraft departed from a private helicopter pad near Tolleson, Arizona, at 1730. According to the pilot, he had completed spraying the field and was cleaning up the ends. On the last pass, he did not see the bare tree branches that protruded 15 to 20 feet into the field until it was too late. He stated that the right main rotor blade struck the branches which tore off the control flap to the rotor blade causing a severe vibration. The pilot immediately landed in a muddy field and shut down the engine. Examination of the helicopter by the pilot revealed that the tail booms were cracked and broken by the severe vibrations. There was no fire, fuel, or chemical spill.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKaman HH43
Tail NumberN321WN
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFreeway Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T-53-11C · Turboshaft · 1100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind180° @ 2 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data