Accident Hughes 369D N64DB, Wednesday 29 November 1995

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Date:	Wednesday 29 November 1995
Time:	10:30 LT
Type:	Hughes 369D
Owner/operator:	Trinity Helicopters
Registration:	N64DB
MSN:	1170231D
Year of manufacture:	1977
Total airframe hrs:	5377 hours
Engine model:	Allison250-C20B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Scotts Mills, OR - United States of America
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT WAS RETURNING FOR A LOAD OF CHRISTMAS TREES. WHILE MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER, THE EXTERNAL LOAD LINE AND HOOK CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE HOOK BOUNCED UP INTO THE MAIN ROTOR, STRUCK A BLADE AND RICHOCHETED INTO THE TAIL BOOM. THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE GROUND.

Accident investigation: