Kaman HH-43F N90944
30 October 1994 · Willits, California, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 30 October 1994 at about 20:45 local time, a Kaman HH-43F registered N90944, operated by Skyhook, Inc., was involved in an accident near Willits, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Willits, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 39.4901, -123.3602
- Aircraft
- Kaman HH-43F
- Registration
- N90944
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Skyhook, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX95LA024
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations resulting in fuel exhaustion. The hilly terrain was a factor in this accident.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A SERIES OF LOGGING OPERATIONS AND WAS RETURNING TO THE LANDING SITE WHEN THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT. THE PILOT EXECUTED A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION ONTO THE SIDE OF A HILL. AFTER LANDING, HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FUEL IN THE ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM OR ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Kaman HH-43F accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 May 1993 | Kaman HH-43F | Anatone, Washington, United States | Woody Contracting, Inc | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Apr 1992 | Kaman HH-43F | Manteo, North Carolina, United States | Precision Lift, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1992 | Kaman HH-43F | Headquarters, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 Sep 1999 | Kaman HH-43F | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 Feb 1982 | Kaman HH-43F | Sutherlin, Oregon, United States | Donald Lederhos | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Aug 2006 | Kaman HH-43F | Metaline Falls, Washington, United States | Horizon Helicopters | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28R-201 | Fort Bragg, California, United States | Sundance Flying Club | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1994 | Schweizer G-164B | Yuba City, California, United States | Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Sep 1994 | Cessna T210L | Kettleman City, California, United States | Willie Alves Rodrigues | No injuries | - |
| 13 May 1994 | Maule M-5-235C | Columbia, California, United States | White, James L. | No injuries | - |
| 19 May 1994 | Cessna 150L | Rio Linda, California, United States | Hinckley, Thomas, F. | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Chico, California, United States | Sierra Aviation | No injuries | - |