# NTSB SEA99LA141: Bell 212, N98W, Snoqualmie, WA, April 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1999, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Snoqualmie, WA - Coordinates: 47.529026, -121.800018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5290&lon=-121.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47111/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA141 ## Probable cause Clearance from an object was not maintained. A tree was a factor. ## 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 - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was moving sand, via an external load bucket, to a golf course sand trap which was located near a tree line. The pilot reported that the trees were about 50 to 60 feet in height, and that there was little room for movement. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, the bucket was placed just short of the target area. As the pilot moved the cyclic to reposition the load, the tip plane of the main rotor blades dipped down and came in contact with a tree branch. The pilot stated that he did not realize that the collision had occurred until about 15 minutes later, when he noticed the broken tree branch. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident to inspect for damage. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1999, at 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 212, N98W, registered to and operated by Weyerhaeuser Company, as a 14 CFR Part 133 external load operation, was substantially damaged when the main rotor blades collided with trees during a hover near Snoqualmie, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had been performing external load operations in the local area throughout the morning. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was moving sand, via an external load bucket, to a golf course sand trap. The pilot stated that the sand trap was located near a tree line with little room for movement to place the bucket. The trees were about 50 to 60 feet in height. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the bucket was placed just short of the target area. As the pilot moved the cyclic to reposition the load, the tip plane of the main rotor blades dipped down and came in contact with a tree branch. The pilot stated that he did not realize that the collision had occurred until about 15 minutes later, when he noticed the broken tree branch. The pilot landed the helicopter without incident to inspect for damage. During the inspection, substantial damage was found to the main rotor blades. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98W-2010-03-10), registration cancelled 2010-03-10, S/N 35100, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 212 - Registry model: [Bell 212](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-212) (registry code 1181420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6t-3) (registry code 52102, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 35100 - Airframe hours: 1255 - Engines: P&W PT63B 1600 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Weyerhaeuser Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 1999, 55 hours before - Departed: SNOQUALMIE, WA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °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 19990426040399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990426040399A), Apr 26, 1999: Bell 212, Snoqualmie, WA, No damage. (-23)During a hover maneuver in an external load operations, the main rotor blade made contact with a tree branch. 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.