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July 25, 2011 · Sikorsky S-55B · N855TC

Brewster, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Brewster, WA
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-55B
Tail Number
N855TC
Operator
Golden Wings
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR11LA356

The helicopter pilot was conducting a low-level flight over orchards for the purpose of drying cherry trees. The orchard was bordered by a series of power lines, and a gusting, variable wind was present at the time of the flight. During a low hovering pass over the orchard, a gust of wind pushed the helicopter toward power lines. In an attempt to avoid the power lines, the pilot increased collective pitch, and the helicopter began to climb. During the climb, the main rotor rpm decayed and the nose of the helicopter yawed to the right. The pilot lowered the collective and increased the engine power in an effort to regain main rotor rpm; however, the helicopter descended into the orchard. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations, and that the accident could have been prevented if the flight had been conducted after the wind diminished.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Prop/rotor parameters-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On July 25, 2011, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Sikorsky S-55B helicopter, N855TC, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain near Brewster, Washington. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom and main rotor drive system. The helicopter was registered to Golden Wings Aviation and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The local flight originated from Brewster about 45 minutes prior to the accident. The private pilot reported that he was conducting a low level flight, for hire, over cherry orchards for the purpose of drying cherry trees. He reported that the orchard was bordered by a series of power lines and that gusty variable winds, with peak gusts to 30 knots, were present at the time of the flight. The pilot reported that during a low hovering pass over the orchard, a gust of wind from the left pushed the helicopter to the right, and towards the power lines. In an attempt to avoid the power lines, the pilot increased collective pitch and the helicopter began to climb. During the climb, the main rotor rpm decayed, and the nose of the helicopter yawed to the right. The pilot lowered the collective and increased the engine power in an effort to regain main rotor rpm; however, the helicopter descended into the orchard. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented if the flight had been conducted after the wind diminished.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-55B
Tail NumberN855TC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGolden Wings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCurtis - Wright · R1300 · Reciprocating · 690
Seats12

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data