Inspection Detail

Inspection: 115328619 - Dennis N Westerberg Dba Horizon Helicopter

Inspection Information - Office: Dosh Everett Service Location, Everett, Wa

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was flying a Bell helicopter, model UH-1B, where his coworkers were engaged in logging operations. He was lifting a log that the hooker on the ground had attached to a line secured to the helicopter. The hooker, who was approximately 300 ft from the log, had radio contact with the pilot. The main rotor mast failed, causing the rotor assembly to fly away from the body of the helicopter. The helicopter and pilot then inverted and crashed to the ground. Employee #1 suffered multiple body fractures and severe head trauma, with massive brain damage. He was killed.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, ROTOR, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, HELICOPTER, AIRCRAFT PROPELLER, LOGGING, BRAIN