Sikorsky S-61A accident near Lakehead, CA
On March 26, 2002, a Sikorsky S-61A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Lakehead, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 26, 2002
- Place
- Lakehead, CA
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-61A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 41.041°N, 122.194°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020401X00432
Official records · LAX02FA116
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 26, 2002, at 1538 Pacific Standard Time, a Sikorsky S-61A twin-engine helicopter, N318Y, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near Lakehead, California. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Croman Corporation of White City, Oregon. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the commercial co-pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight. The local flight originated from a staging area near the McCloud River, at 1500. According to the operator, the helicopter maneuvered for approximately 40 minutes in the area as part of a logging operation prior to the accident. One witness, who was a ground worker, was in radio contact with the pilot. The worker stated that the pilot was supposed to drop chokers near him. A choker is a steel cable that is fitted around a log, and is standard equipment for logging operations. The chokers were attached to a hook that hung from a 200-foot long-line connected to the helicopter. The witness stated that he had radioed to the pilot and informed the pilot that he had moved 100 yards toward Mount Shasta, thus providing the pilot with a reference point to drop the chokers, and the pilot acknowledged. There were no further radio transmissions received from the pilot. The helicopter did not drop the chokers at the point the witness expected, and it over flew the intended drop zone. The witness stated that the helicopter app
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the flight crew's failure to maintain rotor rpm following a loss of engine power while maneuvering.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
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- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Sikorsky aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
