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Casualties unknown

2002-08-24: Bell 206L-1 (N832AH) — Usfs — Wisdom, MT

Wisdom, MT, US

On August 24, 2002, a Bell 206L-1 (registration N832AH) operated by Usfs was involved in an aviation accident near Wisdom, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Insufficient altitude during a water drop with a 50-foot line, leading to contact with an unseen tree top on the opposite side of the aircraft from the pilot station. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot discovered damage to main rotor blades after multiple water drop missions; one blade was punctured and both had tearing. The pilot suspected contact with an unseen treetop.

Event Details

A pilot reported that damage to the main rotor blades was discovered during a post-flight walk around. One blade was punctured, and both blades showed tearing of the underside material. The pilot had flown several missions that day and was uncertain when the damage occurred.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that during one water drop operation using a 50-foot long line attached to a water bucket, the altitude was insufficient to avoid contact with an unseen tree top. The tree top was located on the opposite side of the aircraft from the pilot station. The pilot believed this contact caused the blade damage.

Damage Description

Inspection revealed a puncture on one main rotor blade. Both blades exhibited tearing to the material on the underside. The extent of the damage was noted during the post-flight inspection.

No other details regarding the aircraft, operator, location, or time were provided in the report.

Probable cause

Insufficient altitude during a water drop with a 50-foot line, leading to contact with an unseen tree top on the opposite side of the aircraft from the pilot station.

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020904X01520. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.