CHESTER, MT, USA
N776FS
ENSTROM F-28C
ACCORDING TO A COMPANY EMPLOYEE, THE PLT MADE A RADIO CALL FROM A REMOTE MOUNTAIN SITE WHERE THE PLT WAS DOING SOME WORKON A TRANSMITTER TOWER & STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF, & IF THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT HEAR FROM HIM IN AN HOUR TO COME LOOK FOR HIM. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE TOWER. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 50 MPH WITH HEAVY SNOW. THE PLT HAD BEEN RECEIVING HELICOPTER INSTRUCTION & WAS ENDORSED FOR SUPERVISED SOLO ONLY. HOWEVER, THE PLT'S INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BEEN FLYING THE HELICOPTER '...ALL OVER THE PLACE. ON TOP OF MOUNTAINS, CALLING ON CUSTOMERS AND BASICALLY DOING JUST WHAT HE WELL WISHED WITH IT...' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THEY HAD YET TO COVER PINNACLE APPROACHES, RIDGE LINE WORK, UPDRAFTS, DOWNDRAFTS, TURBULENCE, CONFINED AREAS, SLOPE LANDINGS, ETC.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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