# NTSB SEA82FYK08: Kaman HH-43F, N4524, Sutherlin, OR, February 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1982, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Sutherlin, OR
- Coordinates: 43.409091, -123.109062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4091&lon=-123.1091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA82FYK08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYK08

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - rotor system - vibration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED ON A LOGGING OPERATION. AFTER RELEASING A LOAD FROM A HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT, THE PILOT BEGAN TO TURN AND ACCELERATE. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS TO THREE-FOURTHS OF THE WAY THROUGH A 180 DEGREE TURN, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A SUDDEN, VERY VIOLENT, RAPID VIBRATION. THE PILOT RECALLED BEING THRASHED ABOUT WHILE THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE RIGHT ROTOR BLADES HAD FAILED. A 9.5 FT SECTION OF THE OUTBOARD LEADING EDGE ALONG WITH APPROXIMATELY A 3.5 FT PIECE OF THE BLADE TIP HAD SEPARATED. THEY WERE FOUND ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE BLADE REVEALED THAT THE STAINLESS STEEL CONDUCTOR STRIP, PN K711583-11, HAD BEEN PULLED LOOSE FROM THE BOLT WHICH HELD IT ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE BLADE. THE BOTTOM BOLT HOLE WAS ELONGATED AND THE BOTTOM OF THE STRIP WAS STRETCHED. THE PAINT SHOWED WHIP MARKS RADIATING OUT FROM THE INBOARD ATTACH POINT. A NEARBY TREE HAD NO EVIDENCE OF ROTOR CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4524](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4524-1983-06-29), registration cancelled 1983-06-29, S/N 150, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KAMAN HH-43F
- Registry model: [Kaman HH-43 B/F](https://openairdocs.org/model/kaman-hh-43-b-f) (registry code 4800705) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-4524
- Airframe hours: 3899
- Engines: LYCOMING T-53-L-11-D turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Donald Lederhos
- Registered owner: Donald Lederhos
- Departed: SUTHERLIN, OR
- Destination: SUTHERLIN, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,378 total, 2,564 in this make and model, 6,054 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 117 °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 19820222004969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820222004969A), Feb 22, 1982: Kaman HH43FCHOPER, Sutherlin, OR, Substantial damage. Rotor blade failed during external load logging operation. Crash occurred as helicopter was hovering after drop.

## Other investigations on N4524 (1)

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 SEA79FT123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FT123), Aug 24, 1979: Kaman HH-43F (N4524), Hamilton, MT, destroyed

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.

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