# NTSB SEA94LA179: Kaman HH43F, N324WN, John Day, OR, July 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1994, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.419448, -118.940505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4194&lon=-118.9405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA179

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF A TURBINE COMPRESSOR WHEEL.  THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN AUTOROTATION/FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE DISINTEGRATED IN FLIGHT.  HE ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO TREES, DUE TO THE LACK OF SUITABLE FORCED LANDING SITES.  INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A TURBINE COMPRESSOR WHEEL HAD FAILED.

## Factual narrative

On July 19, 1994, approximately 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Kaman HH43F, N324WN, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during a forced landing after a loss of power while engaged in helicopter logging operations near John Day, Oregon.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured.  There was no flight plan filed for the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions.

The pilot stated that the engine "grenaded" in flight.   He attempted an autorotation into trees, as he was over a select cut with no unobstructed place to land.  He said that he flew around several larger trees in an attempt to keep the rotor blades intact as long as possible.  At about 40 feet elevation, with no alternatives he pulled pitch to check his descent rate, settling into the trees.  Inspection by FAA inspectors noted that the number two compressor wheel failed, and the entire wheel came out of the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N324WN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N324WN-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 62-4562, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KAMAN HH43F
- Registry model: [Kaman HH-43 B/F](https://openairdocs.org/model/kaman-hh-43-b-f) (registry code 4800705) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HI0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hi0-360-series) (registry code 41553, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-4562
- Airframe hours: 4552
- Engines: LYCOMING T-53-L11D turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Hiser Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Hiser Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19940719024449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940719024449A), Jul 19, 1994: Kaman HH43BF, John Day, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power during long line log ops. Autorotated into trees. NR2 engine compressor wheel failed and departed engine

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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