Garlick TH-1L accident near Leavenworth, WA
On November 5, 1996, a Garlick TH-1L (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Leavenworth, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 5, 1996
- Place
- Leavenworth, WA
- Aircraft
- Garlick TH-1L · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.809°N, 120.859°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07115
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 5, 1996, approximately 1400 Pacific standard time, a Garlick TH-1L rotorcraft, N465JR, being operated by Canusa Airlift, Inc. and flown by the company president, a commercial pilot, was destroyed during a collision with terrain following a loss of control when the vertical stabilizer separated while the rotorcraft was engaged in a hover. The accident occurred 29 nautical miles northwest of the Wenatchee airport, Wenatchee, Washington, and the pilot was fatally injured. There was no fire and no flight plan had been filed. Meteorological conditions at the site were unknown at the time of the accident. The flight, which was engaged in logging, was to have been operated under 14CFR133, and originated from a staging site approximately one-eighth of a mile distant. Witnesses reported that the helicopter was in a hover preparing to lift a load of logs when the tail rotor assembly, including the vertical stabilizer, separated from the airframe. The helicopter was observed rotating about its vertical axis as it descended into wooded terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot-in-command, who was also the designated chief pilot, reported to the FAA that he had in excess of 10,000 hours and 16 years of flight experience and commercial helicopter experience respectively. He did not possess an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The TH-1L rotorcraft, serial number 157828, was originally manufactured by Bell Helicopter for the US Navy. The aircraft was subsequently surplused by the US military and converted to restricted categ
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of the vertical stabilizer spar cap and subsequent loss of the rotorcraft's vertical stabilizer. Factors include inadequate inspection or trouble-shooting of the aircraft tail cone and vertical stabilizer at and after the time sheet-metal skins were stop-drilled and rivets were replaced, and repetitive cycles associated with helicopter logging operations.
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Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
