Sikorsky S-55B N5663

Summary

On 25 July 2011 at about 21:38 local time, a Sikorsky S-55B registered N5663, operated by Golden Wings Aviation, was involved in an accident near Chelan, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 July 2011 at 21:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Chelan, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.8908, -120.0681

Aircraft

Sikorsky S-55B

Registration

N5663

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Golden Wings Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chelan → Chelan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11FA350

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was contracted to overfly the rural cherry orchard in order to dry the cherries following rain showers. A witness reported that the helicopter was flying over the cherry orchard from south to north, and it had just completed a left turn when it collided with power lines that bordered the orchard. The helicopter impacted terrain, in a nose low attitude, about 45 feet south of the power lines. Power line wires were found wrapped 3 to 4 times around the main rotor mast and striation marks on the leading edge of the main rotor blades were indicative of a wire strike. Examination of the accident site revealed that four wires were strung between poles with the top three wires about 50 feet agl and the lower wire about 40 feet agl. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.