# NTSB investigations, OR: External load event (Rotorcraft)

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in insufficient engine power to transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover at a high gross weight.
- [NTSB WPR24LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA036.md): Bell OH-58A · Estacada, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 15, 2023 · N103WC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor blades impacting the tail boom.
- [NTSB WPR15LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA248.md): Sikorsky S 61A · Ironside, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2015 · N1043T · Substantial damage
  > A loss of power to the No. 2 engine due to the failure of the accessory gearbox drivetrain. Also causal was the pilot’s inability to release the external longline due to the use of a safety wire across the coupling of the quick-disconnect mechanism, which…
- [NTSB WPR14LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA160.md): Agustawestland AW109SP · Astoria, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 5, 2014 · N361CR · No damage
  > The decision by the ship pilot and the helicopter crew to lower the ship pilot to a location on the ship that did not provide the helicopter pilot with an adequate view of the ship. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate pre-mission coordination…
- [NTSB WPR12LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA036.md): Bell 206B · Woodburn, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2011 · N16HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain ground clearance while maneuvering with an external load line.
- [NTSB WPR11LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA048.md): MD Helicopter 369D · Salem, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2010 · N155PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance between the longline and trees, which resulted in the longline snagging a tree and then recoiling into the main rotor blades and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB WPR10FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA012.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Fossil, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2009 · N527SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power pole to which he was connecting wire-pulling ropes.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'OR' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '480' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence?state=OR

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