On December 3, 1999, a Hughes 369E (registration N11KV) operated by Pathfinder Helicopter Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Salem, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot to maintain ground clearance, resulting in the long-line snagging and then striking the tail rotor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter operating with a long-line during Christmas tree harvesting experienced a tail rotor separation after loud bangs, leading to uncontrolled spin and ground impact.
Accident Sequence
While returning to pick up another load of Christmas trees, the pilot was maneuvering at slow speed and looking for the hooker when a loud bang was heard. The aircraft immediately began to spin rapidly, with additional bangs coming from the rear. The pilot reduced the throttle to idle, but the spin continued. The helicopter then entered a nose-low attitude while spinning, and the pilot was unable to raise the nose using full aft cyclic. Just before impact, the pilot fully opened the throttle, which brought the nose up to a near-level attitude. The helicopter impacted the ground in a level attitude but slid to the left into a hillside.
Terrain and Conditions
The terrain consisted of small rolling hillsides with fields of small to large Christmas trees. Witnesses noted that ground fog was forming in the area at the time of the accident.
Findings
FAA inspectors found evidence of white paint transfer on the long-line cable, as well as signatures consistent with cable marks on one of the two separated tail rotor blades. The helicopter was operating with a 25-foot long-line at the time of the accident.