WALTERBORO, SC, USA
N8503J
SIKORSKY H34-G
THE HELICOPTER WAS CONDUCTING LONG LINE EXTERNAL LOGGING OPERATIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AT A HOVER, WITHOUT A LOAD, AND THE AIRCRAFT THROTTLE SEIZED AT ABOUT HALF THROTTLE. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A GROUP OF TREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. INSPECTION OF THE THROTTLE AND THROTTLE LINKAGE TO THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION.
On December 1, 1993, at about 1525 eastern standard time, a Sikorsky H34-G, N8503J, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain near Walterboro, South Carolina. The commercial pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The helicopter was being operated under 14 CFR Part 133 by Helicopter Lumberjacks of Paragold, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local, logging operation. The pilot stated that while at a hover during logging operations, the throttle stuck at a partial power setting, and he was forced to execute an emergency landing in the trees. The aircraft was substantially damaged during the emergency landing. Inspection of the throttle linkage to the engine following the accident did not reveal any malfunction of the linkage or throttle.
The seizure of the aircraft throttle to engine linkage for unknown reasons.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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