Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL89LA212

LOUISVILLE, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N4556D

SIKORSKY H-34J

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A LOGGING OPERATION, A JERKING MOTION WAS NOTED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING AT 200 FEET. THE MOTION OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE PILOT EJECTED THE LONG LINE AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN A SWAMPY AREA AND BURNED. IT WAS NOT RECOVERED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY THROUGHOUT THE EMERGENCY. THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD FAILED.

Probable Cause and Findings

AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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