Pilot Debrief

SIKORSKY S-55 near Chelan, WA — 2009-07-24

Final reportWPR09LA371
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Date
2009-07-24
Location
Chelan, WA, USA
Aircraft
SIKORSKY S-55
Registration
N1255T
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Failure of a seal in the hydraulic system resulting in a loss of hydraulic pressure while maneuvering at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was using rotor wash to dry cherries at low altitude when the helicopter lost hydraulic pressure. After clearing a stand of trees, the pilot made an emergency run-on landing into a vacant field. During the landing, one of the landing skids hit a large hole, and the main rotor severed the tail boom. Post accident examination revealed that an internal seal had leaked resulting in the loss of pressure in the hydraulic system.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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