# NTSB SEA92LA162: Kaman HH-43F, N90944, Headquarters, ID, July 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1992, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Headquarters, ID
- Location: 46.6299° N, 115.8093° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Headquarters, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6299&lon=-115.8093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA162

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S DELAY IN REFUELING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A LOGGING MISSION WITH APPROXIMATELY 1000 POUNDS OF FUEL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH APPROXIMATELY 200 POUNDS REMAINING. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE PILOT INITIATED A RETURN TO THE FUELING FACILITY. THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS REPORTED TO BE ON STEADY AT THAT TIME. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPOOL DOWN AND THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION TO A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90944 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: KAMAN HH-43F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-4514
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-13B 1485 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Moseley Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1992, 24 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,700 total, 55 in this make and model, 11,200 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUW, 57 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 19920724027459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920724027459A), Jul 24, 1992: Kaman HH43BF, Headquarters, ID, Substantial damage. Returning from sling load ops. Low fuel light on engine quit on descent. Possible unporting. Fuel reserve limited.

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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