Summary
On October 30, 1994, a Kaman HH-43F (N90944) was involved in an accident near Willits, CA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations resulting in fuel exhaustion. The hilly terrain was a factor in this accident.
On October 30, 1994, at 1245 hours Pacific standard time, a Kaman HH-43F helicopter, N90944, crashed about 5 miles east of Willits, California. The pilot was returning to the landing area after completing a Title 14 CFR Part 133 logging operation. The helicopter, operated by Skyhook, Inc., Bend, Oregon, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at a private airstrip (Williams Ranch) near Willits, California, at 1040 hours.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators conducted a telephone interview with the operator on October 30, 1994.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX95LA024. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N90944.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations resulting in fuel exhaustion. The hilly terrain was a factor in this accident.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On October 30, 1994, at 1245 hours Pacific standard time, a Kaman HH-43F helicopter, N90944, crashed about 5 miles east of Willits, California. The pilot was returning to the landing area after completing a Title 14 CFR Part 133 logging operation. The helicopter, operated by Skyhook, Inc., Bend, Oregon, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at a private airstrip (Williams Ranch) near Willits, California, at 1040 hours.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators conducted a telephone interview with the operator on October 30, 1994. The operator said the pilot was returning to the airstrip for fuel when the engine "flamed out." The pilot executed a successful autorotation to the side of a hill. However, after the touchdown, the helicopter rolled over and rolled down the hill and collided with a tree.
An inspector (airworthiness) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Oakland [California] Flight Standards District Office conducted the on-scene investigation. The inspector reported that the engine system did not contain any fuel.
He also said that there was no evidence of any preexisting malfunctions or failures.
Neither the operator nor the pilot submitted the required Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. The pilot's flight times noted in this report were obtained from the helicopter's insurers.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX95LA024