NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS, LLC

Part 135 operator · designator NTWA

Data confidence: Records are linked by certificate number, aircraft registration, or a name match that a reviewer has confirmed. Each record below shows how it was linked.

Also recorded as: NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS LLC, NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS, LLC

Accident & enforcement record

Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.

NTSB accidents & incidents

Accident · 2018-06-16 Operator named in NTSB report
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369 (N900FF) No injuries Part 133

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS LLC (per NTSB report)

The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor clearance from a fiber line while picking up a lineman.

Source: NTSB case GAA18CA378
Accident · 2015-02-19 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL/GARLICK UH 1H (N166DR) No injuries Part 137

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS LLC (per NTSB report)

The fatigue failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft adapter attachment bolt due to the application of inadequate torque on the bolt during assembly.

Source: NTSB case WPR15LA109
Accident · 2008-10-10 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL 206B (N206CH) Serious injury Part 133

Operated by Northwest Helicopters (per NTSB report)

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and trees.

Source: NTSB case WPR09LA010
Accident · 1998-07-24 Operator named in NTSB report
Garlick UH-1H (N83NW) Serious injury Part 133

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS, INC. (per NTSB report)

A failure of the external load cable, which became entangled in the tail rotor.

Source: NTSB case SEA98LA146
Accident · 1997-05-22 Operator named in NTSB report
Garlick UH-1H (N95NW) No injuries Part 133

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS (per NTSB report)

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel.

Source: NTSB case SEA97LA119
Accident · 1994-10-28 Operator named in NTSB report
HILLER UH-12E4 (N80NW) No injuries Part 133

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS INC. (per NTSB report)

A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER CAP AND WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

Source: NTSB case SEA95LA013
Accident · 1993-11-12 Operator named in NTSB report
HAWKINS & POWERS UH-1B (N91NW) Minor injury Part 133

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS, INC. (per NTSB report)

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE INTERMEDIATE GEARBOX. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN AUTOROTATION WAS A FACTOR.

Source: NTSB case SEA94LA030
Accident · 1993-09-24 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL UH-1B (N70NW) Serious injury Part 137

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS, INC (per NTSB report)

FAILURE OF A SECOND STAGE TURBINE WHEEL TOO LOW FOR A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION. FACTORS INCLUDE A TREE IN THE APPROACH PATH.

Source: NTSB case SEA93LA213
Accident · 1992-07-28 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL UH-1B (N89NW) Minor injury Part 133

Operated by NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS, INC. (per NTSB report)

THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT DUE TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL OF AN 'O' RING SEAL, WHICH ALLOWED THE PACKING GREASE TO ESCAPE AND CAUSED THE OVER TEMPERATURE FAILURE OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH TO PERFORM AN AUTOROTATION.

Source: NTSB case LAX92LA319

FAA enforcement actions

No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.

Maintenance disclosure history

Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.

Reports span 1999–1999. Most-reported systems: Main rotor drive (63) — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: FLUID LOSS — 1.

1 report on file.

FLUID LOSS · 1999-07-14 Matched by certificate designator
N722LM · ATA 6300

Part: CARBON SEAL — LEAKING (M/R DRIVE)

FORWARD FREEWHEEL SEAL LEAKING.

Source: SDR 99ZZZX2797

Linked aircraft

N-numberMake / modelYearStatusLink basis
N166DRBELL UH-1H1995Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N206CHBELL 206B1975Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N576KABELL 206B1976Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N70NWOperator named in NTSB report
N722LMBELL 206-L41994Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N80NWOperator named in NTSB report
N83NWCESSNA 5001976Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N88TABELL 206B1980Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designator
N89NWHERMANN BJORN LANCAIR IV2005Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N900FFMCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369FF1994Valid RegistrationMatched by certificate designatorOperator named in NTSB report
N91NWOperator named in NTSB report
N95NWBOEING 747-8B52015Valid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report

Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate

Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.

  • N166DR (BELL UH-1H) — records 2015 · registered to OAS2 LLC (owner ≠ operator)
  • N206CH (BELL 206B) — records 2008 · registered to NORTHWEST HELICOPTERS I INC (owner ≠ operator)
  • N83NW (CESSNA 500) — records 1998 · registered to BAS PART SALES LLC (owner ≠ operator)
  • N95NW (BOEING 747-8B5) — records 1997 · registered to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY LLC (owner ≠ operator)
  • N80NW — records 1994 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N91NW — records 1993 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N70NW — records 1993 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N89NW (HERMANN BJORN LANCAIR IV) — records 1992 · registered to COMMON CENTS HOLDING COMPANY LLC (owner ≠ operator)