# NTSB SEA04LA082: Kaman K-1200, N162KA, West Fork, OR, May 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2004, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: West Fork, OR - Coordinates: 42.789165, -123.703613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7892&lon=-123.7036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59207/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with trees during logging operations. Contributing factors were the trees, mountainous (steeply sloped) terrain, and the pilot's decision to conduct operations in this terrain with a 200 foot long line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - out of ground effect - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was conducting logging operations in steeply sloped, tree covered mountainous terrain utilizing a 200 foot long line. Witnesses observed the rotorcraft in a hover at treetop level attempting to pick up a log when the right rotor blades began contacting treetops. The rotorcraft rolled and then descended to ground impact. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2004, approximately 0755 Pacific daylight time, a Kaman K-1200 helicopter, N162KA, under pending registration, operated by Superior helicopter LLC, and being flown by a commercial pilot, was destroyed during collision with trees and terrain while engaged in logging operations approximately five nautical miles southwest of West Fork, Oregon. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and there was no post crash fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was operated under 14CFR133 and had originated from a staging site nearby shortly before the accident. Several ground crew personnel working at the accident site reported that the pilot was engaged in logging utilizing a 200-foot long line. One witness reported that the pilot of the K-1200 descended to a hover to pick up a log when the witness reported hearing "...the rotor system slapping limbs...." He looked up and saw the K-1200's right rotor in the treetops and then observed tree fragments flying through the air. The rotorcraft then rolled inverted and descended to the ground. The other witness heard a blade strike, looked up and observed fragments of tree and rotor blades flying. He saw the rotorcraft begin to roll away from the tree into a nose down attitude and then impact the terrain (refer to attached statements). On site examination by inspectors assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Hillsboro Flight Standards District Office revealed that with a 200-foot long line the helicopter was operating at or near the treetops in the heavily wooded steeply sloped terrain. The ground crew reported that the helicopter was attempting to snag a log when it drifted sideways and one of the rotors hit treetops. The helicopter then settled into the trees and impacted the ground inverted. According to information provided by the Operator and from records maintained by the FAA the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a helicopter rating as well as a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land rating. He also held a flight instructor's certificate with an expiration date of June 1996 in helicopter aircraft as well as a mechanic's (powerplant and airframe) certificate. Documentation provided by the operator showed the pilot reporting a total of 9,500 hours of flight experience as of June 24, 2003, of which 8,000 hours were reported being in turbine powered helicopter aircraft. The Operator provided a copy of a certificate of completion by the pilot for the Kaman K-1200 pilot familiarization training course conducted by Kaman Aerospace Corporation and dated June 19, 2003. His total flight experience in logging operations and the K-1200 rotorcraft were not known. James N. Olson, M.D., Deputy State Medical Examiner conducted post-mortem examination of the pilot, at the facilities of Douglas County Morgue, Roseburg, Oregon, on May 13, 2004, (case number A-80-04). The FAA's Toxicology Accident and Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma conducted toxicological evaluation of samples from the right seat pilot. All findings were reported as negative (refer to attached TOX report). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N162KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N162KA-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 0010, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kaman K-1200 - Registry model: [Kaman Aerospace K-1200](https://openairdocs.org/model/kaman-aerospace-k-1200) (registry code 13027LS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Alliedsign T5317A-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/alliedsign-t5317a-1) (registry code 02501, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0010 - Airframe hours: 1580 - Engines: Lycoming T5317-A1 1500 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Operator: Superior Helicopter LLC. - Registered owner: Superior Leasing LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 4, 2004, 30 hours before - Departed: West Fork, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: fatal; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; last flight review June 19, 2003; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: SXT, 19 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040512021969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040512021969A), May 12, 2004: Kaman K1200, Glendale, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot was logging trees, hit a tree with the main rotor blade. 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.