Baker City Municipal Airport: Baker City, Oregon

Airport History;

Baker City Municipal Airport Today:

Find Baker City Airport Services and Amenities:

Fuel available; Taxis, Rental cars; Lodging within 4 miles.

Baker City Airport Special Events & Attractions: Skiing; Eagle Cap Wilderness Area; Oregon Trail Interpretive Center; agricultural, ultra-light and helicopter operations.

According to witnesses, after departing the airport, the helicopter turned to the north, climbed to an altitude that was reported to be as low as 100 above ground level (agl) and as high as 800 feet agl. As it approached the accident site location, the helicopter's tail reportedly lowered, it slowed, rotated or turned slightly to the east, and then descended rapidly toward the terrain. Witnesses reported that near the beginning of the descent, the main rotor blades either slowed their rotation significantly or "stopped turning." One witness stated that almost immediately after observing the change in rotation speed of the main rotor blades, "…the helicopter just dropped out of the sky." Examination of the wreckage disclosed evidence of coning of the main rotor blades. No evidence was found of any flight control malfunction or loss of engine power. Updated at Jan 22 2009 3:46PM
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As the pilot turned the aircraft onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern, he referenced the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) of the landing runway. The PAPI indicated that the aircraft was above the standard glidepath, so the pilot reduced engine power to help the aircraft descend to glidepath altitude. According to the pilot, the aircraft "dropped too fast" and he applied power in an attempt to correct the descent rate. The aircraft then stalled above the runway and bounced on touchdown. The pilot recovered from the bounced landing and was able to taxi the aircraft back to the ramp. A post accident inspection revealed that the aircraft's firewall was bent.