Garlick OH-58AT accident near Rochester, MA
On September 14, 2002, a Garlick OH-58AT (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Rochester, MA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 14, 2002
- Place
- Rochester, MA
- Aircraft
- Garlick OH-58AT · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.230°N, 71.530°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020930X05241
NTSB summary
On September 14, 2002, at 1145 eastern daylight time, a Garlick OH-58AT helicopter, N444JB, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt from a cranberry bog in Rochester, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the external load flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 133. According to a Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission inspector, the pilot had made numerous lifts on the morning of the accident, with the similar cranberry loads, into the wind, at a different location. The accident occurred during a first lift in a new location. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the helicopter and interviewed witnesses. According to the inspector, witnesses stated that the helicopter was hovering approximately 12 feet above the ground with a left quartering tailwind (between 5-7 knots) when the ground crew secured a 900-pound cargo basket filled with cranberries to a 15-foot long sling load line. When the cargo basket was being secured, the helicopter was positioned forward of the load. Once the load was secured and the ground crew was clear of the helicopter, the helicopter flew forward and dragged the cargo basket behind. The cargo basket then collided with a ditch and the pilot jettisoned the load. After the pilot released the load, the helicopter pitched up, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom, and the main rotor assembly separated from the helicopter. The helicopter fell about 15 feet to the ground, and rolled over
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to center the sling load prior to commencing forward flight. Also causal, was the pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in an engine compressor stall.
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Browse: Massachusetts
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
