MD Helicopter 369D accident near Salem, Oregon, November 15, 2010
On November 15, 2010 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1977 MD Helicopter 369D, registered N155PH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Salem, Oregon. It was an external-load 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 pilot’s failure to maintain clearance between the longline and trees, which resulted in the longline snagging a tree and then recoiling into the main rotor blades and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 2010 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Salem, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- MD Helicopter 369D, built 1977
- Registration
- N155PH · no longer on the register · serial 370101D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was transporting tree bundles on a 25-foot longline. He placed a tree bundle on a truck and then went to pick up another load. He looked outside to set up for final approach to deliver the hook to ground personnel. He then lowered the collective, applied aft cyclic to slow the helicopter, and applied the right pedal to turn the helicopter, which allowed him the best possible view of the ground personnel. Just as he applied the right pedal, the pilot felt and heard a bang; the helicopter immediately started to shudder and then pitched forward violently with a left yaw. The pilot subsequently set up for an autorotation, and, after touchdown in a level attitude with a slight forward speed, the pilot-side landing gear collapsed. During the postaccident examination of the helicopter at the accident site, a portion of the longline cable and/or wire was located beside a 7- to 9-foot-tall tree that had a section of its top broken off. The tail rotor was found 20 to 30 feet away. It is likely that the hook assembly snagged the tree, which swayed up to a point, pulled the longline taut, and turned the helicopter right. When the treetop broke away, the helicopter suddenly yawed left and pitched forward. The longline recoiled into the main rotor, which resulted in rotor damage, severe imbalance, and a loss of helicopter control. The pilot stated that he did not observe or feel the longline hook get hung up or dragged through the trees.
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 (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Related operating info
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › Main rotor blade system › Damaged/degraded
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,895 hours in all; 1,384 in this make and model; 1,833 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 9, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 14, 2010; 6 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250 C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Precision Helicopters, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Salem OR
- Destination: Salem OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,700 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KSLE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.