# NTSB WPR12CA387: Croman SH-3H, N611CK, Covelo, CA, September 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2012, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Covelo, CA - Coordinates: 39.787223, -123.259719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7872&lon=-123.2597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84887/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84887 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA387 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial firefighting flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: haze/smoke](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Croman SH-3H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2490000), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter was involved in firefighting operations. The pilot flying was in the left seat, and the senior pilot was in the right seat. The pilot completed numerous water drops on the fire during a 2-hour period. The helicopter was making its second drop in an area of steep terrain, which was about 1,000 feet lower in elevation than the lake the pilots were using for a water source. Due to the smoke, the visibility was about 1/2 mile. All five main rotor blades made contact with a snag (typically the remnants of a tree such as the trunk and/or main branches without most of its foliage), and were substantially damaged; the operator pointed out that the snag was similar in color to the smoke. The senior pilot took control of the helicopter, climbed, and made an uneventful landing near the fill point. ## Factual narrative The helicopter was involved in firefighting operations. The pilot flying was in the left seat, but the senior pilot was in the right seat. It had made numerous water drops on the fire during a 2-hour period. The helicopter was making its second drop in an area of steep terrain, which was approximately 1,000 feet lower in elevation than the lake it was using for a water source. Due to smoke, the visibility was about 1/2-mile. All five main rotor blades made contact with a snag (typically the remnants of a tree such as the trunk and/or main branches without most of its foliage); the operator pointed out that the snag was similar in color to the smoke. The senior pilot took control of the helicopter, climbed, and made an uneventful landing near the fill point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N611CK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N611CK), registered now, S/N 148966, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CROMAN CORPORATION SH-3H - Registry model: [Croman SH-3H](https://openairdocs.org/model/croman-sh-3h) (registry code 2490000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE T58 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-t58-series) (registry code 30008, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 148966 - Airframe hours: 16082 - Engines: GE T58-GE-402 1500 horsepower turbo shaft; GE T58-GE-402 1500 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Firefighting, Part 91 - Operator: Croman Corp - Registered owner: Croman Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, September 1, 2012 - Departed: O09, Covelo, CA - Destination: O09, Covelo, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 20,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 19,500 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 7, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 2,303 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 21 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: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KUKI ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20120901020839I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120901020839I), Sep 1, 2012: Croman Corporation SH-3H, Covelo, CA, Minor damage. Aircraft was contracted for public use on a fire contract for the department of forestry when the incident happened. Aircraft was sent to hotshot area division… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84887. 745 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 745 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378806&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.