# NTSB SEA07TA202: Bell UH-1H, N667HP, Benchmark, MT, July 16, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: July 16, 2007, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Benchmark, MT - Coordinates: 47.5275, -113.034164 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5275&lon=-113.0342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07TA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66226/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07TA202 ## Probable cause Dense smoke/haze which restricted the pilot's visibility and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the emergency descent resulting in impact with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, hover - out of ground effect - weather condition - haze/smoke (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was to carry an external load in support of firefighting activity. The pilot departed from a nearby helibase with a visibility of 5 miles under moderate smoky conditions. While en route to another landing zone, the visibility deteriorated and the pilot reported difficulty seeing the landing zone. The pilot successfully landed at the landing zone without incident and set down a load of supplies. The ground crew then attached a load of firefighting equipment that was to be returned to the helibase. As the pilot transitioned to forward flight to depart from the landing zone, the visibility dropped, and he reportedly lost all visual reference. The helicopter settled into trees and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side. In the area of the landing zone at the time of the accident, the visibility was reported to be fluctuating between 1/4 to 1 mile due to smoke. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2007, at 0910 mountain daylight time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, N667HP, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while departing a remote landing zone near Benchmark, Montana. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to Leading Edge Aviation LLC of Clarkston, Washington, and under the operational control of the United States Forest Service (USFS). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the local public use flight. The purpose of the flight was to carry an external load in support of fighting the Ahorn fire on the Bob Marshal Wilderness Area within the Lewis and Clark National Forest. According to information provided by USFS personnel, the pilot flew the helicopter from the Benchmark Helibase departing with a visibility of 5 miles under moderate smoky conditions. While en route to the landing zone, the visibility deteriorated and the pilot reported difficulty seeing the landing zone. The pilot successfully landed at the landing zone without incident and set down a load of supplies. The ground crew then attached a load of firefighting equipment that was to be returned to the Helibase. As the pilot transitioned to forward flight to depart from the landing zone, the visibility dropped, and he reportedly lost all visual reference. The helicopter settled into trees and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side. In the area of the landing zone at the time of the accident, the visibility was reported to be fluctuating between 1/4 to 1 mile due to smoke. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N667HP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N667HP-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 65-09952, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell UH-1H - Registry model: [Bell UH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1h) (registry code 1181407) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T-55 SER TS](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-55-ser-ts) (registry code 41555, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 65-09952 - Airframe hours: 8959.1 - Engines: Allied Signal T53-703 1700 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Public use - Operator: United States Forest Service - Registered owner: Leading Edge AviationLLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, July 1, 2007, 13.5 hours before - Departed: Benchmark, MT - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 13,500 total, 673 in this make and model, 10,966 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg ## 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 20070716012619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070716012619A), Jul 16, 2007: Bell UH1H, Benchmark, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was attempting to sling load fire fighting equipment out of a remote heli-site in a burned area. The heli-site had been unapproachable for several… 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.