DEN01LA002

The helicopter was engaged in seismographic/external load operations. According to the pilot, the helicopter was in a stabilized out-of-ground-effect hover at approximately 130 feet above the ground when he heard a loud "pop" or "bang" and the engine lost power. The pilot said the helicopter descended rapidly and impacted the ground at a higher than normal rate of descent. Examination of the engine revealed that the turbine-to-compressor coupling exhibited fatigue failure at the turbine end, having approximately 60 percent of the splines broken away.

On October 10, 2000, at approximately 0915 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 369-FF, N82638, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while hovering during an external-loads operation near Baggs, WY. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for this local flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 133.

Preliminary information indicates the helicopter was operating under contract to Western Geophysical and was engaged in seismographic operations. Witnesses stated that the helicopter was at about a 100 foot hover, preparing to drop off seismographic equipment from a 75 foot cable (external sling load), when all power was lost and the helicopter descended vertically, impacting the ground in a level attitude.