Kaman K-1200 accident near Cusick, Washington, July 11, 2000
On July 11, 2000 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Kaman K-1200 (helicopter), registered N311KA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cusick, Washington. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The termination of power to the main rotor system as a result of the malfunction of the free-wheeling sprag clutch assembly, followed by the torsional overload separation of the engine adapter shaft. Factors include trees in the area where the emergency descent was attempted.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2000 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cusick, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Kaman K-1200
- Registration
- N311KA · registry record · serial A94-0017
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While lifting approximately 5,000 pounds of logs from the drop area, the aero-logging helicopter experienced a malfunction of the free-wheeling sprag clutch assembly, and a resultant torsional separation of the engine drive adapter. Although the pilot attempted an emergency descent to a down-slope clearing, the aircraft impacted trees and dropped onto the terrain below.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,231 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 9, 2000; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T5317A-1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 235° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 176°F (80°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.