Preliminary Report: S-61 goes down during logging ops

Sikorsky S-61A, Kimble, Tenn., March 23, 2003–At 8 a.m.

February 5, 2008

Sikorsky S-61A, Kimble, Tenn., March 23, 2003–At 8 a.m. CST Sikorsky S-61A N81664, registered to and operated by Pennsylvania-based Carson Helicopters out of Grants Pass, Ore., crashed and burst into flames during a logging operation in a remote area near Kimble. The aircraft was operating in VMC under Part 133 for external load operations. The commercial-rated pilot was killed and the second commercial-rated crewmember received serious injuries.

According to witnesses, the aircraft departed the staging area at about 7:30 a.m. and was working in the crash-site area. The helicopter had just released a load of logs when a local witness heard the pilot yell, and then saw the lower pickup hook hit the ground and start coiling up. The helicopter was seen to spin before impact. 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 help the pilots escape from the burning wreckage.

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