LAFD helicopter lost control before hitting tree, says NTSB
The US National Transportation Safety Board has said that it believes that the recent LAFD helicopter accident was caused by the aircraft making uncommanded movements.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said that it believes that the recent Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) helicopter accident was caused by the aircraft making uncommanded movements.
The service’s AW139 helicopter was assisting with fighting the La Tuna wildfire on 2 September when it made contact with what is thought to be a pine tree. The helicopter was damaged but none of the crew was hurt. The helicopter only came into service for LAFD recently.
According to the preliminary report, the pilot was descending to about 100 feet above trees when the helicopter began an uncommanded yaw to the right and the descent increased. The pilot then released the water that was contained in the helicopter’s 450-gallon tank, but the yaw and descent continued. The helicopter then hit some trees, before the pilot was able to regain control and make an emergency landing.