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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 24, 2009 · Sikorsky S-55 · N1255T

Chelan, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chelan, WA
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-55
Tail Number
N1255T
Operator
David C Smith
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09LA371

The pilot was using rotor wash to dry cherries at low altitude when the helicopter lost hydraulic pressure. After clearing a stand of trees, the pilot made an emergency run-on landing into a vacant field. During the landing, one of the landing skids hit a large hole, and the main rotor severed the tail boom. Post accident examination revealed that an internal seal had leaked resulting in the loss of pressure in the hydraulic system.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of a seal in the hydraulic system resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressure while maneuvering at low altitude.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 2009, about 1445 Pacific daylight time, a Sikorsky S-55, N1255T, encountered rough terrain during an off airport emergency landing near Chelan, Washington. The pilot/owner was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage from impact forces. The local other work flight departed Chelan about 1245. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was drying cherries at low altitude when the helicopter lost hydraulic pressure. He flew the helicopter up to clear the trees, and made a run-on landing into a vacant field. The helicopter encountered a large hole that he had not seen, and the main rotor severed the tail boom. The operator reported that post accident examination revealed that an internal seal had leaked resulting in the loss of pressure in the hydraulic system. To date, the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form 6120.1/2 has not been submitted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-55
Tail NumberN1255T
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid C Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAireasearch · TSE331 · Turboshaft

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data