Kaman K-1200 accident near West Fork, Oregon, May 12, 2004
On May 12, 2004 at about 2:50 pm local time, a Kaman K-1200 (helicopter), registered N162KA, was substantially damaged in an accident near West Fork, Oregon. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with trees during logging operations. Contributing factors were the trees, mountainous (steeply sloped) terrain, and the pilot's decision to conduct operations in this terrain with a 200 foot long line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 2004 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- West Fork, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Kaman K-1200
- Registration
- N162KA · registry record · serial 0010
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting logging operations in steeply sloped, tree covered mountainous terrain utilizing a 200 foot long line. Witnesses observed the rotorcraft in a hover at treetop level attempting to pick up a log when the right rotor blades began contacting treetops. The rotorcraft rolled and then descended to ground impact.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,500 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 19, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,580 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, May 4, 2004; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 12,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T5317-A1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Superior Helicopter LLC.
The flight
- Departed from: West Fork OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 500 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from SXT, 19 miles away
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.