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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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February 1, 1984 · Enstrom F-28C · N776FS

Chester, MT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chester, MT
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28C
Tail Number
N776FS
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN84FA081

ACCORDING TO A COMPANY EMPLOYEE, THE PLT MADE A RADIO CALL FROM A REMOTE MOUNTAIN SITE WHERE THE PLT WAS DOING SOME WORKON A TRANSMITTER TOWER & STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF, & IF THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT HEAR FROM HIM IN AN HOUR TO COME LOOK FOR HIM. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE TOWER. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 50 MPH WITH HEAVY SNOW. THE PLT HAD BEEN RECEIVING HELICOPTER INSTRUCTION & WAS ENDORSED FOR SUPERVISED SOLO ONLY. HOWEVER, THE PLT'S INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BEEN FLYING THE HELICOPTER '...ALL OVER THE PLACE. ON TOP OF MOUNTAINS, CALLING ON CUSTOMERS AND BASICALLY DOING JUST WHAT HE WELL WISHED WITH IT...' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THEY HAD YET TO COVER PINNACLE APPROACHES, RIDGE LINE WORK, UPDRAFTS, DOWNDRAFTS, TURBULENCE, CONFINED AREAS, SLOPE LANDINGS, ETC.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO A COMPANY EMPLOYEE, THE PLT MADE A RADIO CALL FROM A REMOTE MOUNTAIN SITE WHERE THE PLT WAS DOING SOME WORKON A TRANSMITTER TOWER & STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF, & IF THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT HEAR FROM HIM IN AN HOUR TO COME LOOK FOR HIM. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE TOWER. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 50 MPH WITH HEAVY SNOW. THE PLT HAD BEEN RECEIVING HELICOPTER INSTRUCTION & WAS ENDORSED FOR SUPERVISED SOLO ONLY. HOWEVER, THE PLT'S INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BEEN FLYING THE HELICOPTER '...ALL OVER THE PLACE. ON TOP OF MOUNTAINS, CALLING ON CUSTOMERS AND BASICALLY DOING JUST WHAT HE WELL WISHED WITH IT...' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THEY HAD YET TO COVER PINNACLE APPROACHES, RIDGE LINE WORK, UPDRAFTS, DOWNDRAFTS, TURBULENCE, CONFINED AREAS, SLOPE LANDINGS, ETC.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F-28C
Tail NumberN776FS
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · THIO-360-E1AD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data