20010626017969A

Accident · No damage

FAA accident report · Kaman HH-43B · Mullanpass, ID · June 26, 2001

Date: June 26, 2001
Place: Mullanpass, ID
Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
Operator: PZ7L
Damage: No damage
Aircraft: N556D
NTSB investigation: NTSBSEA01LA121
Reported as: Kaman HH43B

N556DRegistration cancelled Sep 30, 2014 · Kaman HH-43BS/N 37 · Built 1959 Airframe modelKaman HH-43B Engine modelLycoming T53-L-13Turbo-shaft

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-23) Helicopter was at hover with "long-line" attempting to lift logs. A loud "bang" was hear/felt, the helicopter lost power and began a descent. Pilot instinctively aimed for some snags. Aircraft made hard landing involving snags. Main rotor blades separated from the airframe. Pilot said engine had almost quit turning by the time he hit the ground. There was no post impact fire. Pilot was examined and released from local hospital same day.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) HELICOPTER WAS AT HOVER WITH "LONG-LINE" ATTEMPTING TO LIFT LOGS. A LOUD "BANG" WAS HEAR/FELT, THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND BEGAN A DESCENT. PILOT INSTINCTIVELY AIMED FOR SOME SNAGS. AIRCRAFT MADE HARD LANDING INVOLVING SNAGS. MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME. PILOT SAID ENGINE HAD ALMOST QUIT TURNING BY THE TIME HE HIT THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO POST IMPACT FIRE. PILOT WAS EXAMINED AND RELEASED FROM LOCAL HOSPITAL SAME DAY.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB SEA01LA121Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMullan, IDThe development of multiple fatigue cracks which ultimately resulted in the fracture of the 1st stage gas producer turbine rotor sealing disc. Factors contributing to the accident were mountainous/hilly and unsuitable terrain conditions.Jun 26, 2001 · Substantial damage