Sikorsky S-61A accident near Kimble, TN
On March 23, 2003, a Sikorsky S-61A (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kimble, TN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 23, 2003
- Place
- Kimble, TN
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-61A · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.250°N, 86.000°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030326X00395
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 23, 2003, at 0800 central standard time, a Sikorsky S-61A, N81664, registered to and operated by Carson Helicopters Incorporated, collided with trees and subsequently the ground and burst into flames during a logging operation in a remote area near Kimble, Tennessee. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 133 for external load operations and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the commercial rated co-pilot received serious injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight departed the staging area near Kimble, Tennessee, at 0730 on March 23, 2003. According to the co-pilot, the purpose of the flight was to move logs from one-drop area to another using a 150-foot long line attached to the helicopter. On the second airlift, shortly after the logs were laid on the ground, a shudder was felt in the helicopter airframe followed by a slight yaw to the right. On the instrument panel, there was a needle jump in the triple tachometer gauge followed by a very loud bang. The pilot asked, what was that? The co-pilot replied, 'I think we just had a bad input slip". The helicopter began a violent left hand descending spin towards the ground. At this point the pilot stated, "I'm losing it, I'm losing it, pull the throttles". As the helicopter descended, it collided with trees and subsequently the ground. After the helicopter came to a complete stop the co-pilot exited the helicopter. Within seconds an explosion was heard,
Probable cause
The interruption of rotor system drive power due to the input free wheeling unit malfunctioning , and the pilot's operation of the helicopter in the critical area of the height-velocity curve.
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Browse: Tennessee · 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.
