McDonnell Douglas 369D N58295

Summary

On 22 July 2002 at about 18:50 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369D registered N58295, operated by T L Forest Products Inc, was involved in an accident near Medford, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 July 2002 at 18:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Medford, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

42.4903, -122.7650

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369D

Registration

N58295

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

T L Forest Products Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Beagle Sky → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA135

2 people were seriously injured.

Power loss during cruise flight for undetermined reasons. Factors include mountainous terrain and trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was engaged in fire fighting operation (aerial observation) when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the helicopter was in a cruise configuration 200 - 400 feet above ground level (AGL) when the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an autorotation and the helicopter descended into heavily wooded terrain. Two days after the accident, before the helicopter could be recovered, the on-going forest fire burned over the helicopter and destroyed the aircraft, engine and associated system components. Examination/teardown of the engine and associated components did not reveal any evidence of a pre-impact part failure or signs of abnormal wear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.