# NTSB SEA97TA012: Garlick UH-1H, N98NW, Detroit, OR, October 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: October 20, 1996, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Detroit, OR - Coordinates: 44.739688, -121.87957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7397&lon=-121.8796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97TA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42699/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97TA012 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgement of rotor clearance from the terrain. The proximity of the berm was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had just landed at a remote site after emptying his bucket. As he unloaded the main rotor, it contacted a berm on the right side of the helicopter. This resulted in a sudden stoppage and damage to the transmission. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1996, approximately 1640 Pacific daylight time, a Garlick UH-1H helicopter, N98NW, sustained substantial damage when the main rotor collided with terrain during landing near Detroit Lake, Detroit, Oregon. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries. The helicopter was being operated by the US Forest Service, and was being used to spread fertilizer on the Willamette National Forest. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions as a public use activity. There was no report of the ELT actuating, and the pilot turned it off after the accident. The pilot stated that he had just landed after emptying his bucket. As he unloaded the rotor, the main rotor contacted a berm on the right side of the helicopter, causing sudden stoppage and separation of the transmission, and additional damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98NW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98NW), registered now, S/N 64-13822, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Garlick UH-1H - Registry model: [Garlick Helicopters UH-1H](https://openairdocs.org/model/garlick-helicopters-uh-1h) (registry code 3740005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41549, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4529 - Airframe hours: 12360 - Engines: Lycoming T55-L-13B 1400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: Usfs - Registered owner: Reynolds Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 3, 1996, 23 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,700 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,250 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19961020047659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961020047659A), Oct 20, 1996: Bell UH1H, Detroit, OR, Substantial damage. (-16) This accident was determined to be a public aircraft accident. The investigation was conducted by the us forest service by agreement with the NTSB. There… ## Other investigations on N98NW (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 SEA98FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA077), May 19, 1998: Garlick UH-1H (N98NW), Hope, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of a misaligned main bearing in the engine. Factors include returning a previously unairworthy-tagged engine to service by the operator's maintenance personnel without sufficient information… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.