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NTSB Report
June 15, 1993 · Hughes 269 · N213MS
Valley City, ND
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Valley City, ND
Aircraft
Hughes 269
Tail Number
N213MS
Operator
Kriedelcamp Jon
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA208
THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS APPLYING HERBICIDE WITH THE HELICOPTER ON SLOPING TERRAIN WITH AN ISOLATED TREE NEARBY. HE APPROACHED THE TREE TO APPLY HERBICIDE AND INADVERTENTLY STRUCK A TREE BRANCH WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND IT CRASHED IN THE FIELD ADJACENT TO THE TREE.
NTSB Probable Cause
the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application manuever.
Full Narrative
On June 15, 1993, about 0730 central daylight time, a Hughes 269 helicopter, N213MS, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a tree and terrain near Valley City, North Dakota. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aerial application flight operated without flight plan under 14 CFR Part 137 in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot reported he was flying slowly uphill from a ravine bottom while applying a herbicide. He was applying the herbicide near an isolated tree when he inadvertently allowed the main rotor blades to strike a tree branch. The helicopter descended uncontrollably and collided with terrain.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269
Tail NumberN213MS
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKriedelcamp Jon
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:30
Weather SourcePILO