SEA95LA023

While the helicopter was being maneuvered to pick up a load of christmas trees, the external load hook became entangled in a bundle of trees that was laying on the ground. When the hook pulled loose from this bundle, it rebounded up into the path of the main rotor blades. Subsequent damage to the blades resulted in an uncontrolled descent into the terrain.

On November 19, 1994, approximately 1325 Pacific standard time (PST), a Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 helicopter, N4258V, collided with the terrain after the long-line it was using impacted the main rotor system. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 133 long- line operation, which was moving bundles of Christmas trees at a tree farm about four miles east of Yamhill, Oregon, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the operator, the hook on the long-line accidently became caught in a bundle of trees as the pilot was attempting to maneuver the line to the ground crew while in a hover. As the helicopter moved sideways, the line became taunt, and then pulled loose from the bundle. After it pulled loose, the line shot up into the main rotor, resulting in damage to the blades. The helicopter then experienced an uncontrolled descent into the terrain, at which time it received substantial damage.