Accident Sikorsky S-61N N617CK,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 282461
 
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Date:Thursday 1 September 2022
Time:07:35
Type:Silhouette image of generic S61 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Sikorsky S-61N
Owner/operator:Croman Corp
Registration: N617CK
MSN: 61164
Year of manufacture:1962
Total airframe hrs:27942 hours
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:near Medford, OR -   United States of America
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:External load operation
Departure airport:White City, OR
Destination airport:White City, OR
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities
Narrative:
On September 01, 2022, about 0735 Pacific daylight time, a Sikorsky S-61N helicopter, N617CK, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in White City, Oregon. The two commercial pilots and a ground support team member sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 rotorcraft external load flight.

Company personnel reported that during a timber logging operations flight, a pedal turn to the right was accomplished while departing the log landing site. Shortly after the right turn, they heard a loud “bang” sound. They assessed the instrument panel and confirmed that all systems were within normal operating limits. The flight instruments did not indicate that an anomaly existed, and the pilot-in-command (PIC) elected to continue the logging operation. Two additional sorties were accomplished, and the “bang” sound occurred again. Subsequently, a precautionary landing was accomplished to troubleshoot the abnormal sound, with the assistance of maintenance personnel.

A definitive source of the “bang” sound was not identified by the maintenance personnel, and a decision was made by the PIC, to continue the operation. While departing the log landing site, a right pedal turn was accomplished, and a subsequent “bang” ensued. However, this iteration presented several immediate and successive “bangs” followed by a grinding noise and a degradation of the #2 engine torque value to zero. The Master Caution warning light illuminated, and the helicopter descended to the ground, landing hard on the main landing gear. The helicopter rolled to the right and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter was recovered and transported to a facility for further examination.

Sources:

https://fireaviation.com/2022/09/05/helicopter-makes-forced-landing-during-logging-operation/
https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=617CK

NTSB
https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/5/35576_1611591003.jpg (photo)

History of this aircraft

Other occurrences involving this aircraft
20 March 1985 C-GOKZ Okanagan Helicopters 0 off Owl's Head, Nova Scotia sub

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
06-Sep-2022 00:05 Geno Added
06-Sep-2022 00:23 RobertMB Updated [Total occupants, Location, Source, Narrative]
09-Sep-2022 19:48 johnwg Updated [Time, Phase, Narrative]
16-Sep-2022 22:23 Captain Adam Updated [Time, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category]

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