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NTSB Report
September 10, 1988 · Bell 204B · CFAHY
Entiat, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Entiat, WA
Aircraft
Bell 204B
Tail Number
CFAHY
Operator
Vancouver Island Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA88FA176
THE ACFT WAS ON CONTRACT TO STATE OF WA AND WORKING TO SUPPRESS A FOREST FIRE USING A WATER BUCKET SUSPENDED ON A LONG LINE. THE ACFT HAD REFUELED AT A TEMPORARY HELIPORT AT ENTIAT, WA AND WAS ENROUTE TO THE WORK AREA 15 NM SW OF ENTIAT BUT DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF STEEP MOUNTAINS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INFLT MAIN ROTOR MAST FRACTURE AND ACFT BREAK-UP. WX DATA INDICATED STRONG GUSTY NW WINDS AND MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE COPILOT WAS AT THE CONTROLS. THIS WAS THE COPILOTS FIRST FLT IN THE BH-204 AND HIS FIRST FLT FOR THIS COMPANY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ON CONTRACT TO STATE OF WA AND WORKING TO SUPPRESS A FOREST FIRE USING A WATER BUCKET SUSPENDED ON A LONG LINE. THE ACFT HAD REFUELED AT A TEMPORARY HELIPORT AT ENTIAT, WA AND WAS ENROUTE TO THE WORK AREA 15 NM SW OF ENTIAT BUT DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF STEEP MOUNTAINS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INFLT MAIN ROTOR MAST FRACTURE AND ACFT BREAK-UP. WX DATA INDICATED STRONG GUSTY NW WINDS AND MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE COPILOT WAS AT THE CONTROLS. THIS WAS THE COPILOTS FIRST FLT IN THE BH-204 AND HIS FIRST FLT FOR THIS COMPANY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 204B
Tail NumberCFAHY
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorVancouver Island Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-13B · Turboshaft · 1400
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 18 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:45
Weather SourceWFAC