THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS FOR PREDATOR (COYOTE) CONTROL. THE PILOT WAS FOLLOWING A COYOTE AT A LOW-ALTITUDE, MODERATE-SPEED AIR TAXI OVER SNOW AND SAGEBRUSH COVERED TERRAIN. ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S SNOWBOARDS CAUGHT SEVERAL SAGEBRUSH LIMBS AND THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER ROTATED AND ROLLED OVER RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND TAIL BOOM.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..SNOW COVERED

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..HIGH VEGETATION

Index for Jan1982 | Index of months