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NTSB Report

June 10, 2000 · Sikorsky HH-3F · N500XL

Wellington, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 10, 2000
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Wellington, NV
Aircraft
Sikorsky HH-3F
Tail Number
N500XL
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA220

The helicopter collided with trees when it made a forced landing under power. The helicopter was low and climbing over a ridge in mountainous terrain when it encountered wind shear and could not sustain flight. The pilot noticed a rapid airspeed fluctuation from 80 knots to 20 knots. He completed a systems check and saw the airspeed go to zero. The helicopter rapidly settled. The pilot lowered the collective, but the rpm began to seriously decay. He tried to regain rpm, but was unsuccessful. The helicopter continued to settle downhill into a canyon. The helicopter collided with trees at zero airspeed and 800-feet-per-minute rate of descent in the bottom of the canyon.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's encounter with a wind shear while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain, which resulted in a high descent rate and inadvertent entry into a power settling condition.

Full Narrative

On June 10, 2000, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Sikorsky HH-3F, N500XL, collided with trees during a forced landing into a creek bed near Wellington, Nevada. Cinema Aircraft Restorations, LLC, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one pilot rated passenger sustained serious injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Minden, Nevada, about 1200, en route to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). About 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot noticed a rapid airspeed fluctuation from 80 knots to 20 knots. He completed a systems check and saw the airspeed go to zero. The helicopter rapidly settled. The pilot lowered the collective, but the rpm began to seriously decay. He tried to regain rpm, but was unsuccessful. The helicopter continued to settle downhill into a canyon. The helicopter collided with trees at zero airspeed and 800-feet-per-minute rate of descent in the bottom of the canyon. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the wreckage on scene and interviewed the pilot and passenger. Their investigation disclosed that the helicopter was low and climbing over a ridge in mountainous terrain when it encountered wind shear and could not sustain flight. The helicopter collided with trees when it made the forced landing under power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:26 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky HH-3F
Tail NumberN500XL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsGeneral Electric · T58-100 · Turboshaft
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 42 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data