Summary
On October 10, 2000, a Hughes 369FF (N82638) was involved in an accident near Baggs, WY. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: Impact with terrain following a total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the turbine-to-compressor coupling. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
On October 10, 2000, at approximately 0915 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 369-FF, N82638, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while hovering during an external-loads operation near Baggs, WY. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for this local flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 133.
Preliminary information indicates the helicopter was operating under contract to Western Geophysical and was engaged in seismographic operations.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DEN01LA002. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N82638.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
impact with terrain following a total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the turbine-to-compressor coupling. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On October 10, 2000, at approximately 0915 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 369-FF, N82638, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while hovering during an external-loads operation near Baggs, WY. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for this local flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 133.
Preliminary information indicates the helicopter was operating under contract to Western Geophysical and was engaged in seismographic operations. Witnesses stated that the helicopter was at about a 100 foot hover, preparing to drop off seismographic equipment from a 75 foot cable (external sling load), when all power was lost and the helicopter descended vertically, impacting the ground in a level attitude.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN01LA002