NTSB Factual Report

On July 16, 2007, at 0910 mountain daylight time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, N667HP, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while departing a remote landing zone near Benchmark, Montana. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to Leading Edge Aviation LLC of Clarkston, Washington, and under the operational control of the United States Forest Service (USFS). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the local public use flight. The purpose of the flight was to carry an external load in support of fighting the Ahorn fire on the Bob Marshal Wilderness Area within the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

According to information provided by USFS personnel, the pilot flew the helicopter from the Benchmark Helibase departing with a visibility of 5 miles under moderate smoky conditions. While en route to the landing zone, the visibility deteriorated and the pilot reported difficulty seeing the landing zone. The pilot successfully landed at the landing zone without incident and set down a load of supplies. The ground crew then attached a load of firefighting equipment that was to be returned to the Helibase. As the pilot transitioned to forward flight to depart from the landing zone, the visibility dropped, and he reportedly lost all visual reference. The helicopter settled into trees and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side. In the area of the landing zone at the time of the accident, the visibility was reported to be fluctuating between 1/4 to 1 mile due to smoke.

NTSB Probable Cause

Dense smoke/haze which restricted the pilot's visibility and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the emergency descent resulting in impact with terrain.