Oregon Helicopter Accident Fatality 1972

At 1349 on September 3, 1972, a Kaman H-43A helicopter registered N2853J crashed during wildland fire operations near Jacksonville, Oregon. While the helicopter was in level flight, the helicopter experienced an overload failure for unknown reasons. The drive shaft failed and, as a result, the main roto blades separated from the helicopter. The helicopter crashed in an uncontrolled descent, killing the pilot and burning in a post crash fire. No further information regarding this accident, including the pilot's name, is readily available.