Kaman HH-43F N100PL
25 September 1999 · Phoenix, Arizona, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 25 September 1999 at about 13:42 local time, a Kaman HH-43F registered N100PL was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:42
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.6795, -112.0895
- Aircraft
- Kaman HH-43F
- Registration
- N100PL
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Litchfield Park → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX99FA317
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
Failure of the horizontal stabilizer left outboard forward attach point because of a previously existing crack that resulted from inadequate maintenance inspection by the operator. A factor was the use of automotive parts.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Ground witnesses reported seeing the helicopter disintegrate in-flight, about 250 feet above ground level. The helicopter impacted the ground in a nearly inverted attitude, scattering rotor blade fragments on both sides of a canal. The ex-military, medium lift helicopter with twin intermeshing rotors was en route to perform an off-airport lift operation. It operated in the 'restricted' category and was required to fly over unpopulated areas. At the time of the accident, it was flying parallel with a canal. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fixed horizontal stabilizer left outboard leading edge attach fitting had fractured and exhibited evidence of a pre-existing crack. A second attach fitting aft of the leading edge attachment was also fractured. Additionally, the operator had installed automotive dampers in lead-lag positions on the rotor blades.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Kaman HH-43F accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Oct 1994 | Kaman HH-43F | Willits, California, United States | Skyhook, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 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 | - |
| 18 Aug 2006 | Kaman HH-43F | Metaline Falls, Washington, United States | Horizon Helicopters | Fatal | 1 |
| 22 Feb 1982 | Kaman HH-43F | Sutherlin, Oregon, United States | Donald Lederhos | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Mar 1999 | Boeing Stearman A75N1 | Mesa, Arizona, United States | Russell L. Allen | No injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 1999 | Piper PA-28-181 | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Oct 1999 | Bell 206B | Apache Junction, Arizona, United States | Arizona Heliservices Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 9 Apr 1999 | Witzel GLASSAIR II FT | Casa Grande, Arizona, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 May 1999 | Widner RV-3A | Casa Grande, Arizona, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Mar 1999 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415E | Kingman, Arizona, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |