Flight History
The aircraft departed at approximately 1020 local time en route to its destination. An onboard GPS unit recovered at the site recorded latitude, longitude, time, and altitude. Approximately 45 minutes after takeoff, the pilot turned north and initiated a descent from 11,000 feet. The GPS track showed the aircraft descending, turning east, and then executing a 135-degree right turn to ground impact.
Witness Observations
Witnesses at a temporary firefighting landing site located half a mile southwest of the crash site observed the aircraft flying west to east, slightly north of the landing area, roughly parallel to the landing axis. They saw the landing gear extend and the aircraft perform a descending right turn, as if aligning for a landing at the helibase. One witness stated the aircraft was "moving extremely slow, at/near stall speed," while another noted it "appeared to stall" and descend vertically to ground impact.
Terrain and Impact
The final GPS target recorded an altitude of 5,666 feet; the ground elevation at impact was 5,410 feet. The aircraft's track during the final 45-degree arc of the approach turn placed it over rapidly rising terrain that ascended more than 200 feet. The area was heavily forested with conifer trees approximately 75 feet tall, and a high-tension power line traversed the hilltop just below tree level. On-site examination indicated a near-vertical impact (83 degrees) and evidence of high rotational energy of the propeller at impact.
Examination
Post-crash examination found no indication of control discontinuity or powerplant malfunction. Inspection of the fuel system revealed fuel at the flow divider, both gas caps secured, and no evidence of fuel staining at the belly drain or on the aircraft exterior.