Title: ORSKY S-61A, N81664, REGISTERED TO AND OPERATED BY CARSON HELICOP
Report Date: 03/26
Plane Crash Problem: On March 23, 2003, at 0800 central standard time, a Sikorsky S-61A, N81664, registered to and operated by Carson Helicopters Incorporated, collided with terrain and burst into flames during a logging operation in remote area near the city of 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 second commercial rated crewmember received serious injuries. The helicopter was destroyed. The flight departed the staging area at 0730.
According to the witness on the ground, the helicopter was preparing to release a group of logs. After the helicopter released the logs, the witness heard the pilot yell and observed the lower pickup hook hit the ground and start coiling up on the ground. The witness observed the helicopter spinning in a spiral motion. The witness ran away from the helicopter and heard it collide with trees. Seconds later a loud explosion was heard. The witness returned to the accident site to assist the pilots escape the burning wreckage.
Examination of the wreckage site revealed, the helicopter came to rest 75 feet down a ravine on its left side. There were freshly broken trees approximately 50 feet above the wreckage site. The lower pick up hook of the long-line rested on a dirt path with approximately a 50 foot section of long-line extending down towards the helicopter. The long-line displayed heavy fire damage. The cockpit and the main fuselage of the helicopter were consumed by fire. The tail boom was partially consumed by fire, and tail rotor blades were bent and connected to the tail rotor transmission. The tail rotor drive shaft was intact and connected to the main rotor transmission. The five main rotor blades were connected to the main rotor head and displayed buckling and deformation damage. Evidence of the long-line electrical cable was found wrapped around the swash plate. A 38 foot section of the long-line was found on one of the main rotor blades. The engines sustained heavy fire and deformation damage.
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