Croman SH-3H accident near Willow Creek, California, July 17, 2009
On July 17, 2009 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Croman SH-3H (helicopter), registered N613CK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Willow Creek, California. It was a firefighting flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate power during egress from a heliwell, which resulted in collision with the heliwell and a dynamic rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2009 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Willow Creek, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Croman SH-3H
- Registration
- N613CK · registry record · serial 152109
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Firefighting flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-in-command (PIC) of the firefighting helicopter air tanker reported that he approached the heliwell (a portable tank) by entering a final approach from the south as he had on four previous trips that day. As he lowered the snorkel into the heliwell to get water, he simultaneously made a right pedal turn to position the helicopter for a normal egress departure path. He indicated that all engine parameters were in the normal operating range, that he did not feel any unusual movements in the flight controls, and that the wind seemed to be light and variable. As the helicopter was taking on water, the second-in-command (SIC) called out the number of gallons in the tank, and the PIC released the fill switch at the planned amount. The PIC applied power and initiated a climb just as the snorkel was clearing the water. At this time, the SIC informed the PIC of a "droop" in the rotor rpm. Subsequently, the PIC stopped applying power and started to move the helicopter forward. The SIC then called out that the rotor rpm was at 98 percent. The PIC reduced the power slightly to gain rpm, but the rpm continued to drop. The PIC leveled the helicopter as it continued to descend. The left main landing gear subsequently contacted the heliwell then the uneven ground. The helicopter rolled after ground contact and came to rest on its left side. The PIC did not activate the emergency dump button, which was located on the top left side of the collective, and the SIC did not pull the emergency "T" handle to jettison the load during the accident sequence. Postaccident examinations of the engines and fuel controls found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
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
What happened, in order
- External load event (Rotorcraft) during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Effect on equipment
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 9,000 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 15,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 7, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,554 hours in all; 865 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 1,673 as pilot in command; 159 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 3, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,354 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 17, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 21,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: General Electric T58-402 (turboshaft); 8,946 hours total
- Engine 2: General Electric T58-402 (turboshaft); 7,612 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Willow Creek CA at 9:16 pm
- Destination: Willow Creek CA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 300 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 10:25 pm from ACV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.