Accident Bell UH-1E N5088J, Monday 31 October 1994

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Date:	Monday 31 October 1994
Time:	17:30 LT
Type:	Bell UH-1E
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N5088J
MSN:	154696
Total airframe hrs:	7309 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming T53-L-13B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Willits, CA - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SERIES OF SLING LOAD LOGGING OPERATIONS. THE PILOT DEPARTED THE LOGGING AREA AFTER SETTING DOWN THE LAST LOG. DURING THE CLIMB-OUT, THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY STRUCK A TREE AND SEPARATED FROM ITS ATTACH BRACKET. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING AT THE COMPLETION OF THE AUTOROTATION. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER'S 90-DEGREE GEARBOX DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FATIGUE ON THE FRACTURED SURFACES. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

Probable Cause: that the pilot misjudged the distance between the helicopter and the trees.

Accident investigation: