# NTSB SEA88LA123: Kaman HH43, N55714, Joseph, OR, July 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1988, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Joseph, OR
- Coordinates: 45.299823, -117.089653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2998&lon=-117.0897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING THE INITIAL LONG LINE EXTERNAL LOAD HOOKUP OF THE DAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING LOGGING OPERATIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT INTO POSITION THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM CONTACTED A TALL TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55714](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55714-2013-06-12), registration cancelled 2013-06-12, S/N 154/62-4528 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KAMAN HH43
- Registry model: [Timber Choppers KAMAN HH-43B/F](https://openairdocs.org/model/timber-choppers-kaman-hh-43b-f) (registry code 8940101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 924528
- Airframe hours: 4013
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L11A 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Michael Ragenovich, doing business as Skyline Helicopters
- Registered owner: Michael Ragenovich
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 1988, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,688 total, 1,912 in this make and model, 4,434 as pilot in command, 257 in the last 90 days, 147 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKE, 35 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 19880705025639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880705025639A), Jul 5, 1988: Kaman HH43BFCHOPER, Joseph, OR, Destroyed. Main rotors struck a tree while long line was being hooked to a log. Helicopter fell to the ground.

## Other investigations on N55714 (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 SEA01LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA173), Sep 25, 2001: Kaman HH-43 (N55714), Bonners Ferry, ID, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout which lead to his failure to maintain clearance from the nearby trees while in a high-hover. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain, and tall trees in the…
- [NTSB ATL92LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA007), Oct 14, 1991: Kaman HH-43B/F (N55714), Mt. Vernon, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING SITE.

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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