Sikorsky CH-19E accident near Plains, Montana, May 30, 2002
On May 30, 2002 at about 11:20 pm local time, a Sikorsky CH-19E (helicopter), registered N94475, was substantially damaged in an accident near Plains, Montana. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Power loss for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2002 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Plains, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky CH-19E
- Registration
- N94475 · registry record · serial 130141
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In a written report, the commercial pilot stated that he was flying sideways downhill with an external load on a long line. He approached the log landing area in a turn and attempted to set the load down, however the helicopter, "seemed to keep going." The helicopter began to lose altitude. To compensate, the pilot lowered the collective, and increased the throttle. The aircraft did not respond to the pilot's actions. However, a subsequent maneuver to avoid colliding with a loader was successful. The pilot stated that he remembered, "putting the ship down easy." The pilot then related that the helicopter suddenly "lifted over to the left and next I was undoing my seatbelt and climbing out of the pilot window." A witness to the accident reported that she could see the helicopter steadily lose altitude from a few hundred feet in the air. She then related that she heard the engine quit, followed by the sound of impact a few seconds later. Post-accident examination of the engine, and subsequent engine run, revealed no evidence to indicate a mechanical malfunction or failure with the engine or related engine components.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,327 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 33 in the last 30 days; 444 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 20, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,537 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 31, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 7,900 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Wright R-1300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Plains MT at 11:15 pm
- Destination: Plains MT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°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.