WARBIRD REGISTRY > CH-54 REGISTRY > PREVIOUS PAGE

CH-54 TARHE/68-18454



Serial #: 68-15454
Construction #: -
Civil Registration:
  N64AR
  Model(s):
  CH-54A Tarhe
Name: None
Status: Crashed
Last info: 1995

History:
SCO MATT Inc, Letchikan, AK, Nov. Aug. 1994-1995
- Registered as N64AR.
- Destroyed during crash, Aug. 26, 1995. (See below)

NTSB Identification: LAX95LA305
14 CFR Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
Accident occurred Saturday, August 26, 1995 in EMIGRANT GAP, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/11/1996
Aircraft: Sikorsky CH-54A, registration: N64AR
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

While flying upslope with an external load of logs at almost zero airspeed, the pilot (PIC) heard an 'explosion' and noted that the helicopter pitched nose-up and rolled right. He turned to initiate a downslope forced landing, while experiencing control feedback and stiffness. As the crew began an approach, the copilot attempted to jettison the load with the electrical release; however, neither crew member verified the results of the procedure. As the aircraft continued to descend on the approach, the cargo hook struck the ground, opened, and released the logs. At the termination of the approach, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck several trees. After the helicopter touched down, it rolled onto its left side in a shallow stream. The No. 2 engine exhibited evidence indicating that it was producing power at impact; however, the No. 1 engine exhibited evidence indicating that it was not rotating. During subsequent inspections, no preimpact anomaly was found with either of the engines or of associated systems.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
a compressor stall in the right engine for an unknown reason, which resulted in a loss of power in that engine; and inadequate crew coordination between the pilot and copilot, which resulted in their failure to ensure that the external load was promptly jettisoned or released.


Source(s):
Federal Aviation Administration, www.faa.gov, 2007.
NTSB, www.ntsb.gov
Photo Source(s):
-

Research Assistance:

-

WARBIRD REGISTRY > CH-54 REGISTRY > PREVIOUS PAGE