NTSB Final Report: Johnson River, AK
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Location:
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Johnson River, Alaska
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Accident Number:
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ANC23LA085
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Date & Time:
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September 16, 2023, 10:10 Local
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Registration:
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N297SH
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Aircraft:
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Eurocopter AS 350 B3
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Aircraft Damage:
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None
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Defining Event:
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External load event (Rotorcraft)
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Injuries:
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1 Serious, 1 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 133: Rotorcraft ext. load
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Analysis
The operator reported that during a sling load operation, one of the ground crew became entangled in a tag line as the helicopter began to lift the load. He was dragged across the deck, freed himself, and subsequently fell to the ground. In the operators written statement, it was noted the ground crew member was initially hidden from the pilot’s view as he began to lift the sling load. The helicopter was not damaged, but the ground crew personnel sustained serious injuries. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement.
Findings
Environmental issues Ground equipment - Contributed to outcome
Personnel issues Use of policy/procedure - Ground crew
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-hover External load event (Rotorcraft) (Defining event)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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56,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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October 10, 2022
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waivers/limitations
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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April 24, 2023
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Flight Time:
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15300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 9500 hours (Total, this make and model), 15200 hours (Pilot In
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Command, all aircraft), 260 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 100 hours (Last 30 days, all
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aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Eurocopter
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Registration:
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N297SH
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Model/Series:
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AS 350 B3
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2012
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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7429
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Landing Gear Type:
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High skid
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Seats:
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6
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Date/Type of Last
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August 18, 2023 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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5225 lbs
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Inspection:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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1480 Hrs
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Safran
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ELT:
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C126 installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
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Arriel 2D
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Registered Owner:
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JC AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC
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Rated Power:
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952 Horsepower
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Operator:
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Soloy Helicopters LLC
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Operating Certificate(s)
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Rotorcraft external load
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Held:
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(133), Agricultural aircraft
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(137)
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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Distance from Accident Site:
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Observation Time:
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Direction from Accident Site:
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Unknown / 10000 ft AGL
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Visibility
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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10°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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Departure Point:
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Johnson River, AK
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Johnson River, AK
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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None
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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Ground Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious, 1 None
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Latitude,
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60.15,-152.9
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Joyce, Stacia
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Additional Participating
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Paula Huckelberry; FAA; AK
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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May 3, 2024
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193130
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