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NTSB Report
November 17, 1989 · Mcdonnell Douglas 369 · N1097G
Barstow, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Barstow, CA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas 369
Tail Number
N1097G
Operator
Helicopters International
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90LA033
THE PLT BEGAN THE EXTERNAL SLING LOAD OPERATION-STRINGING WIRE CONDUCTORS - ABT 1 HR AND 15 MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER FLYING 1 HR AND 5 MIN THE PILOT LANDED AND REFUELED THE HELICOPTER AT A LANDING AREA 2 MI WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. AFTER REFUELING HE DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLT. VIDEO TAPE SHOWED THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO HOVER OVER THE TRANSMISSION STANCHION WITH THE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO THE LONG LINE. THE CONDUCTOR BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE STANCHION'S CROSS BAR AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO CLIMB WITH THE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED AND ENTANGLED WITH THE CROSSBAR. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE LEFT IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND CRASH.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS DELAY IN JETTISONING THE LOAD.
Full Narrative
THE PLT BEGAN THE EXTERNAL SLING LOAD OPERATION-STRINGING WIRE CONDUCTORS - ABT 1 HR AND 15 MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER FLYING 1 HR AND 5 MIN THE PILOT LANDED AND REFUELED THE HELICOPTER AT A LANDING AREA 2 MI WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. AFTER REFUELING HE DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLT. VIDEO TAPE SHOWED THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO HOVER OVER THE TRANSMISSION STANCHION WITH THE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO THE LONG LINE. THE CONDUCTOR BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE STANCHION'S CROSS BAR AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO CLIMB WITH THE CONDUCTOR ATTACHED AND ENTANGLED WITH THE CROSSBAR. THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE LEFT IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND CRASH.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:19 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas 369
Tail NumberN1097G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHelicopters International
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT