Kaman K-1200 N311KA

Summary

On 11 July 2000 at about 19:30 local time, a Kaman K-1200 registered N311KA was involved in an accident near Cusick, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 July 2000 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cusick, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.5093, -117.3700

Aircraft

Kaman K-1200

Registration

N311KA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA00LA129

1 person was seriously injured.

The termination of power to the main rotor system as a result of the malfunction of the free-wheeling sprag clutch assembly, followed by the torsional overload separation of the engine adapter shaft. Factors include trees in the area where the emergency descent was attempted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While lifting approximately 5,000 pounds of logs from the drop area, the aero-logging helicopter experienced a malfunction of the free-wheeling sprag clutch assembly, and a resultant torsional separation of the engine drive adapter. Although the pilot attempted an emergency descent to a down-slope clearing, the aircraft impacted trees and dropped onto the terrain below.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.