Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA90LA081

KELSO, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N8306F

HUGHES 369D

Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH AN EXTERNAL LONGLINE LOAD (BUNDLE OF CEDAR BLOCKS). THE BUNDLE STRUCK TREE BRANCHES IN THE THICK FOREST CANOPY OVER THE PICKUP SITE & CAME APART. A FALLING BLOCK OF WOOD FROM THE BUNDLE STRUCK & FATALLY INJURED THE GROUND HOOK-UP CREWMAN. THE COMPANY OPERATING MANUAL REQUIRED THAT GROUND PERSONNEL BE CLEAR OF THE AREA DURING THE LIFT-OFF & THAT THE PILOT MAKE A VERTICAL TAKEOFF TO AN ALTITUDE THAT WOULD CLEAR THE LOAD OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

Probable Cause and Findings

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO KEEP THE EXTERNAL LOAD CLEAR OF OBSTACLES (TREES). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT AND GROUND CREWMAN TO FOLLOW SAFETY PROCEDURES, AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE TREES.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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