Kaman K-1200 accident near Keller, WA
On July 26, 2003, a Kaman K-1200 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Keller, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 26, 2003
- Place
- Keller, WA
- Aircraft
- Kaman K-1200 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 48.122°N, 118.749°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030730X01223
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 25, 2003, approximately 1703 Pacific daylight time, a Kaman K-1200 helicopter, N314KA, registered to Superior Leasing LLC, operated by the Department of Interior, and being flown by a commercial pilot, was destroyed following a loss of control in cruise and subsequent in flight collision with terrain within 1,000 feet of the Brush Creek fire line near Keller, Washington. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and a post crash fire consumed much of the helicopter. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an operational flight plan was in effect at the time. The flight, which was engaged in fire-fighting operations at the McGinnis Flats forest fire, was being conducted as a public use operation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Interior. The helicopter had departed the Mt. Tolman fueling site approximately one hour previous to the accident and was engaged in the fourth fire-fighting mission of the day. The fuel truck driver, whose vehicle was equipped with an FM radio, reported the pilot radioed him about an hour into the fourth flight and spoke with the mechanic briefly. Several minutes after this transmission the fuel truck driver heard a radio transmission on FM of "...I've got a problem..." followed several seconds later by "...I'm going down..." (refer to Attachment S-I, Support Personnel). Several witnesses located in the vicinity of the accident site observed the helicopter immediately prior to the crash and reported seeing several rotor blades departing the helicopter. One witness reported hearing something "weird" which attrac
Probable cause
Corrosion fatigue within the blade retention bolt bushing(s) of the main rotor blade grip resulting in fatigue, cracking and ultimate separation of the upper grip plate. The separation of the upper blade grip plate led to a dynamic imbalance within the rotor system and the subsequent loss of all four rotor blades in flight.
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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.
