# Accident 20011112030529A: Bell 407, Parkers Lake, KY, November 12, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 12, 2001, 13:48 local time
- Place: Parkers Lake, KY
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: H11L
- Location: 36.7192° N, 84.4707° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7192&lon=-84.4707&mi=10
- Aircraft: N11HX, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11HX-2003-01-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 407 (registry code 1182206, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C47 series (registry code 03029, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c47-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC02TA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02TA026) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011112030529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON NOVEMBER 12, 2001, AT APPROXIMATELY 1848 UTC (1348 EST) A BELL 407 RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF AN EMERGENCY LANDING NEAR PARKERS LAKE, KY. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT UNDER 14 CFR 133, UNDER CONTRACT TO THE US FOREST SERVICE, CONDUCTING FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UTILIZING A SLING WITH "BAMBI BUCKET" DURING THE OPERATION. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE 46TH RUN OF THE OPERATION WHILE AT CRUISE FLIGHT HE HEARD A BANG AND THE AIRCRAFT YAWED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A LANDING IN A CLEARING. DURING THE APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROTATE TO THE RIGHT AROUND THE VERTICAL AXIS. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING. AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH LANDING, THE PILOT RECEIVED A BROKEN RIGHT ARM AND RIGHT THIGH LACERATION. THERE WAS NO POST CRASH FIRE. THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED BIG SWAG NATIONAL PARK BASE CAMP AT ABOUT 1130 EST FOR THE OPERATION. REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND LOAD PLANS REVEALED NO ABNORMALITIES. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE WERE VFR, SKY CLEAR, VISIBILITY 10, WITH WINDS LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC02TA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02TA026), Nov 12, 2001: Bell 407 (N11HX), Whitley City, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots decision to operate the helicopter at an airspeed in excess of the maximum demonstrated stable airspeed for the water bucket. A factor in the accident was the pilot did not follow the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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