# NTSB SEA02FA091: Sikorsky CH-19E, N94475, Plains, MT, May 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 2002, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Plains, MT - Coordinates: 47.476943, -114.984169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4769&lon=-114.9842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02FA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54828/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54828 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02FA091 ## Probable cause Power loss for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, descent - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis In a written report, the commercial pilot stated that he was flying sideways downhill with an external load on a long line. He approached the log landing area in a turn and attempted to set the load down, however the helicopter, "seemed to keep going." The helicopter began to lose altitude. To compensate, the pilot lowered the collective, and increased the throttle. The aircraft did not respond to the pilot's actions. However, a subsequent maneuver to avoid colliding with a loader was successful. The pilot stated that he remembered, "putting the ship down easy." The pilot then related that the helicopter suddenly "lifted over to the left and next I was undoing my seatbelt and climbing out of the pilot window." A witness to the accident reported that she could see the helicopter steadily lose altitude from a few hundred feet in the air. She then related that she heard the engine quit, followed by the sound of impact a few seconds later. Post-accident examination of the engine, and subsequent engine run, revealed no evidence to indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure with the engine or related engine components. ## Factual narrative HISTROY OF FLIGHT On May 30, 2002, about 1720 mountain daylight time, a restricted category Sikorsky CH-19E, N94475, sustained substantial damage after a loss of engine power and forced landing while conducting external load operations near Plains, Montana. The helicopter is registered to Tri Corp of Clarkston, Washington, and was being operated under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 133. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from an off-airport service landing area approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. In a written report, dated June 08, 2002, the pilot stated that he was flying sideways downhill with an external load on a long line. He approached the log landing area in a turn and attempted to set the load down, however the helicopter, "seemed to keep going." The helicopter began to lose altitude. To compensate, the pilot lowered the collective, and increased the throttle. The aircraft did not respond to the pilot's actions. However, a subsequent maneuver to avoid colliding with a loader was successful. The pilot stated that he remembered, "putting the ship down easy." The pilot then related that the helicopter suddenly "lifted over to the left and next I was undoing my seatbelt and climbing out of the pilot window." The pilot also noted that on a previous flight the helicopter seemed to lack power. A witness to the accident reported that she could see "the helicopter steadily lose altitude from a few hundred feet in the air." She then related that she heard the engine quit, followed by the sound of impact a few seconds later. PERSONNEL INFORMATION At the time of the accident, the pilot held a second-class medical certificate dated April 2, 2002. The medical certificate carried no limitations or waivers. Among other certificates and ratings, the pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with a helicopter rating dated October 20, 2000. According to the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, his total time in all aircraft is 1,327 hours. The pilot has accumulated approximately 444 hours pilot-in-command, of which 42 were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident helicopter, a Sikorsky CH-19E, serial number 130141, was originally manufactured on June 21, 1952. Maintenance records indicated that the airframes last inspection, an annual inspection, was completed on January 31, 2002. At the time of the inspection the airframe had accumulated approximately 5,537 hours total time. The engines last inspection, and annual inspection, was completed on January 31, 2002. Maintenance records indicated that the engine total time was 5,537; 681 hours since major overhaul (TSMO). WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The helicopter was observed by FAA inspectors to have come to rest on its left side. The engine, transmission, mast and rotor assembly remained intact. The main rotor blades displayed upward bending and extensive deformation. The tail rotor drive shaft was separated just forward of the tail boom, however, the entire assembly was accounted for. The tail boom assembly was partially separated and bent to the left of the fuselage. The tail rotor assembly was intact and both tail rotor blades were attached to the gearbox. Tip and leading edge damage was noted to the blades. The vertical stabilizer was partially separated and had rotated approximately 90 degrees. The horizontal stabilizer was intact and showed little damage. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight at 47 degrees 28 minutes north, 114 degrees 59 minutes west. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION On June 25, 2002, a FAA maintenance inspector from the Boise, Idaho, Flight Standards District Office, examined the wreckage and conducted an engine test run. The inspector reported that the fuel system was intact and the vents were unobstructed. He reported that a small amount of metal shavings were present in the fuel tank sump and main fuel sump, however, the fuel filter screen was clear. The magnetos switch was checked utilizing an Ohmmeter and determined to be functional. At the conclusion of the examination the helicopter engine was started. The inspector reported that the engine ran for approximately five minutes without incident. On July 19, 2002, representatives from the NTSB and Precision Aviation Products Corporation examined the carburetor at Precision's facility in Everett, Washington. Flow bench testing and disassembly revealed no abnormalities with the carburetor (report attached). At the conclusion of the investigation, the aircraft wreckage was released to Tri-Corp, Clarkston, Washington. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N94475](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94475), registered now, S/N 130141, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sikorsky CH-19E - Registry model: [Sikorsky CH-19E](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-ch-19e) (registry code 8141616) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright C7BA series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-c7ba-series) (registry code 67017, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 130141 - Airframe hours: 5537 - Engines: Wright R-1300 800 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 133 - Operator: Name - Registered owner: Tri Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 2002 - Departed: Plains, MT - Destination: Plains, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 20, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 1,327 total, 42 in this make and model, 444 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020530012149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020530012149A), May 30, 2002: Orlhel CH19ESKRSKY, Plains, MT, No damage. (-23) On may 30, 2002, at 1730 MDT, a Sikorsky CH-19E owned and operated by tri-corp, a FAR 133 external load operator (tcol) lost power while performing… ## Other investigations on N94475 (2) 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 CHI80DEP42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEP42), Aug 3, 1980: Sikorsky CH-19E (N94475), Plover, WI, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA76FLD16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLD16), Sep 10, 1975: Sikorsky CH19E (N94475), Cosme, FL, destroyed ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54828. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Report (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440253&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Manufacture Report (item 4, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40174044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Manufacture%20Report-Master.PDF - Engine Log (item 5, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440254&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Log-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 - Addendum (item 7, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15%20-%20Addendum-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.