Accident · 2003-01-17

NTSB case ANC03GA023 · Bell 212 · PUBU

What the record says

Event date: 2003-01-17
Event type: Accident
Highest injury level: Serious injury
Aircraft: Bell 212 (N1079U)
Operating rule: PUBU
Operator: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Operator named in NTSB report
Operated by (per NTSB report): National Science Foundation

Probable cause

The pilot's continued operation of the helicopter with an unstable external load, which resulted in damage to the cargo hook assembly, adjacent throttle controls, and subsequent loss of engine power, precipitating an emergency descent and impact with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the load oscillations, and the separation of the fuel crossover lines.

Source: NTSB case ANC03GA023

Flight crew

Flight-crew details for this event aren't in the NTSB database extract we hold (its coverage starts with 2008 events) — a gap in our data, not an absence of crew.

Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.

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