# Accident 20020830022079A: Skrsky S55, Lytle Creek, CA, August 30, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 30, 2002, 08:20 local time
- Place: Lytle Creek, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr On Vertical Ldng/Rtrcrft
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: HSNL
- Location: 34.2350° N, 117.4969° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2350&lon=-117.4969&mi=10
- Aircraft: N747A, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N747A-2004-01-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Sikorsky S-55 (registry code 8141602, https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: AiResearch TPE331 series (registry code 01517, https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKRSKY S55
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,535 total, 110 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02TA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02TA267) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020830022079A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON AUGUST 30, 2002, AT 1006 HOURS PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A SIKORSKY S-55T, N747A, COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A DRY CREEK BED IN LYTLE CREEK, CALIFORNIA. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED. THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE WAS OPERATING THE HELICOPTER AS A FIRE SUPPRESSION UNIT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 133. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM A TEMPORARY HELIPAD ABOUT 0810. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND IT IS NOT KNOWN IF A FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE PILOT STATED THAT A HYDRAULIC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BECAME STIFF. THE PILOT BEGAN AN APPROACH TO AN OPEN AREA. ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE CYCLIC FLIGHT CONTROL MOVED "HARD OVER" AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE THE ROTORS MADE CONTACT WITH A ROCKY SHELF. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE BY THE FOREST SERVICE INVESTIGATION TEAM DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF RUPTURED HYDRAULIC LINES. THEY TOOK A SAMPLE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR AND STATED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE SEVERELY CONTAMINATED. THE FLUID WILL BE SENT TO A LABORATORY FOR TESTING. (-23) AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING WATER DROPS ON FIRE NEAR LYTLE CREEK WHEN PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY RELEASING THE WATER LOAD. AS AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR THE END OF IT'S FUEL CYCLE, PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO HELIBASE AND REPAIR WATER BUCKET. AS AIRCRAFT NEARED LANDING AREA, PROBLEMS WITH FLIGHT CONTROL HYDRAULIC BOOST OCCURRED WITH AIRCRAFT WITHIN ABOUT 10 FEET OF THE GROUND. AIRCRAFT PITCHED OVER ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE. AIRCRAFT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. PILOT WAS UNHURT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02TA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02TA267), Aug 30, 2002: Sikorsky S-55T (N747A), Lytle Creek, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the hydraulic system due to contamination in the hydraulic fluid, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control.

## Other reports on N747A (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19870610080779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870610080779I), Jun 10, 1987: Skrsky S55 (N747A), Cold Springs, CA, Minor damage. Needles split at idle. The clutch reengaged tearing up gear box. Shut down engine. Possible faulty main drive clutch.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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