Kooskia Municipal Airport: Kooskia, Idaho

Airport is located 1 mile south of Kooskia, Idaho.

Accident occurred Friday, January 08, 2010 in Kooskia, ID
Aircraft: HUGHES 369D, registration: N500LW
Injuries: 3 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 08, 2010, about 1220 mountain standard time, a Hughes 369D, N500LW, experienced a loss of engine power and landed hard in the wilderness near Kooskia, Idaho. The helicopter was being operated under contract to the Idaho Fish and Game by Quicksilver Air, Inc., as a public-use flight. The air transport pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local area flight originated from a ranger station about 25 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with a Safety Board investigator, one of the passengers reported that both he and the other passenger were employed with the Idaho Fish and Game. He stated that the purpose of the flight was a wolf capturing mission. While maneuvering around area where Kelly Creek and Moose Creek intersect, several wolves were spotted. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter closer to the wolves' location, a loud "bang" emitted from the engine compartment, followed by a loss of engine power and slight vibration. The rugged terrain below was densely populated by tree. With the low rpm light illuminated, the pilot attempted to fly the helicopter toward an opening. The helicopter landed hard on ice.

Examinations of the airframe and engine will be conducted.