- Date
- April 9, 1992, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place
- Manteo, NC
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N100PLKaman HH-43F
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920409043079A
- Case key
- 8584
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of the flight controls, in that he inadvertently activated the tail rotor pedals. Factors in the accident were the cross wind, and the slope of the landing area.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter was being used in fire fighting operations. A water bucket was attached to the external hook. A hover landing was being attempted on an aluminum mat helipad. The pad sloped downhill, into the wind. Wind gusts were high. To preclude damage to the helicopter from the water bucket, the helicopter had to be hovered and landed behind the bucket, after the bucket had been placed on the pad. Also, the helicopter would roll 18' to one foot after touch down. While holding the wheel brake pedal, slight anti-torque control input was made. Coupled with the crosswind control input, mast bumps resulted. On the fifth landing attempt, one main rotor blade contacted one of the vertical stabilizers, which separated the control tab from the blade. The pilot reduced engine power & allowed the helicopter to settle to the ground.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N100PL
- Reported as
- Kaman HH-43F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 59-1583
- Engine
- Lycoming T-53-E11D, 1,100 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 133
- Operator
- Precision Lift, Inc
- Registered owner
- Precision Lift, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · January 2, 2000
- Flight plan
- Military VFR
- Airport
- NONE · Dare Range
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 45
- Certificates
- Commercial, Airline transport
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 10,185 total · 600 in this make and model · 51 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility
- 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MQI, 15 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N100PL · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.