Kawasaki KV-107-II accident near Emigrant, MT
On August 31, 2001, a Kawasaki KV-107-II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Emigrant, MT. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 31, 2001
- Place
- Emigrant, MT
- Aircraft
- Kawasaki KV-107-II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 45.323°N, 110.732°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010907X01903
Official records · SEA01MA163
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 31, 2001, approximately 0905 hours mountain daylight time, a Kawasaki KV-107 II rotorcraft, N186CH, registered to and operated by Columbia Helicopters Leasing, Inc., and being flown by two commercial pilots, was destroyed when it collided with terrain following a loss of control in flight during a cruise/climb phase of operation. The crash site was approximately three miles south of Emigrant, Montana. Both pilots and the onboard mechanic were fatally injured. A post-crash fire destroyed much of the rotorcraft. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was a non-mandatory maintenance check flight following a phase five inspection, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Fridley Helibase staging site approximately eight nautical miles north of the crash site and slightly north of Emigrant, Montana. The rotorcraft was estimated to have departed on the check flight approximately 0845. The aircraft was under contract with US Forest Service and was engaged in firefighting operations in support of the Fridley Fire centered approximately eight nautical miles north and west of Emigrant, Montana. The rotorcraft departed the Fridley helibase approximately 0845 hours with both pilots and a mechanic aboard. At this time the rotorcraft had been released from the United States Forest Service (USFS) contract and would remain so for the duration of the test flight (refer to Attachment USDA-I). Immediately prior to departure the ground crewman observed the copilot occupying the right seat
Probable cause
The loss of control during cruise/climb flight for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: Montana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
