SNOQUALMIE, WA, USA
N1088G
HUGHES 369D
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING FOR LANDING, HE APPROACHED THE LANDING PAD DOWNWIND. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND THE HELICOPTER SETTLED WITH A LOW ROTOR RPM INDICATION. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LANDING; HOWEVER, DURING THIS MANEUVER THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREE TOPS.
On June 9, 1994, at 1800 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N1088G, collided with trees while maneuvering for landing near Snoqualmie, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. In a written statement the pilot reported that at the end of the work day, he was preparing to land on a pad to pick up ground crew. The pilot made a low pass over the pad, then pulled up and turned downwind for the landing. The helicopter began to settle with power and the descent rate increased, followed by a low RPM indication. The pilot stated that he "lowered the power" and pushed the cyclic forward in an attempt to abort the landing, however, the helicopter collided with the nearby tree tops. The pilot was able to land the helicopter without further incident.
POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED AND TAILWIND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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