Pilot Debrief

KAMAN AEROSPACE CORP K-1200 near Eagle, CO — 2025-08-22

Final reportCEN25LA334
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Date
2025-08-22
Location
Eagle, CO, USA
Aircraft
KAMAN AEROSPACE CORP K-1200
Registration
N171PL
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that during a rotorcraft external load operation for firefighting, he was refilling the helicopter bucket at a lake. He stated that there had been wind gusts throughout the day and a right quartering tailwind of approximately 15 kts was present when he was refilling the bucket. He said that when another helicopter flew by his helicopter about 50-100 yds right and 150 ft above his position, he felt a push to the left. He pulled back on the cyclic control, but he could not recover the helicopter, which continued pitching to the left. The helicopter descended into the lake and sustained substantial to the main rotor blades. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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