On April 26, 1999, a Bell 212 (registration N98W) was involved in an aviation accident near Snoqualmie, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Clearance from an object was not maintained. A tree was a factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter's main rotor blades struck a tree branch while repositioning an external load for a golf course sand trap. The pilot did not notice until 15 minutes later and landed safely.
Accident Overview
The pilot was conducting an external load operation, using a bucket to move sand to a golf course sand trap located near a tree line. The trees in the area were approximately 50 to 60 feet in height, leaving little room for maneuvering.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot, the bucket was placed just short of the target area. While repositioning the load with the cyclic control, the tip plane of the main rotor blades dipped downward and made contact with a tree branch. The pilot did not realize that the collision had occurred until approximately 15 minutes later, when he noticed the broken tree branch.
Aftermath
The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident to inspect for damage. No other issues were reported during the landing.
