Sikorsky S-64E N194AC
2 March 1999 · Shelton, Washington, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 2 March 1999 at about 19:20 local time, a Sikorsky S-64E registered N194AC was involved in an accident near Shelton, Washington, United States. 3 people were on board. One person on the ground also died. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Shelton, Washington, United States
- Coordinates
- 47.2307, -123.2010
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-64E
- Registration
- N194AC
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Not recorded
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- SEA99LA038
People
Injuries not recorded.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured | On the ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Probable cause
The failure of the victim to follow the procedure that required him to make sure that all choker lines had separated from the helicopter's release mechanism prior to entering the landing (collection area).
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot of the aero-logging helicopter had lowered a multiple-log load onto the landing site, hit the release switch to release the two choker cables, and then began to move away from the area. One of the choker lines momentarily failed to release, resulting in one end of one of the logs lifting into the air and then falling back to the ground. One of the ground crew members entered the landing area after the logs were initially lowered to the ground, but prior to the release of the second cable. When the end of the log lifted into the air and fell back to the ground, it fell on the crew member, inflicting fatal injuries. It was the opinion of some of the other crew members that the victim never noticed that the second cable had not yet released or that the end of the log was being lifted back into the air. According to Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 296-54, 'Logs shall be laid on the ground and the helicopter will be completely free of the choker()s) before workers approach the logs.'
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sikorsky S-64E accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 2003 | Sikorsky S-64E | Tucson, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Aug 2004 | Sikorsky S-64E | Bastia, Corsica | Erickson Air Crane Co | Fatal | 2 |
| 27 Jun 1991 | Sikorsky S-64E | Index, Washington, United States | Erickson Air Crane Co. | Serious injuries | - |
| 13 Dec 1976 | Sikorsky S-64E | Cowdrey, Colorado, United States | Erickson Skycr | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Oct 1974 | Sikorsky S-64E | Kernville, California, United States | Erickson Air | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Jul 1970 | Sikorsky S-64E | Union City, Tennessee, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jan 1999 | Cessna 175 | Moses Lake, Washington, United States | John H. Bross | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Dec 1999 | Cessna 140 | Port Townsend, Washington, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 1999 | Cessna 185 | Renton, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Sep 1999 | Cessna 170B | Auburn, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 1999 | Cessna T210L | Port Angeles, Washington, United States | Wings Aloft | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Sep 1999 | Stinson V77 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Kimble, Wallis, R. | No injuries | - |