# Accident 20110725015689A: Sikorsky S-55B, Chelan, WA, July 25, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 25, 2011, 14:30 local time
- Place: Chelan, WA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.8908° N, 120.0681° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8908&lon=-120.0681&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5663, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5663) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Sikorsky S-55B (registry code 8141604, https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Wright R-1300 series (registry code 67060, https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Reported engine: WRIGHT R-1300 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 900 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR11FA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA350) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110725015689A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS CONDUCTING CHERRY DRYING OPERATIONS INVOLVING SLOW HOVER FLIGHT/OGE.  WINDS WERE GUSTY AT THE TIME OF THIS OPERATION.  PILOT WAS AT ONE END OF TREE ROW AND STARTED TO TURN BACK.  WIND GUST CARRIED HELICOPTER INTO KNOWN POWERLINES AND MAIN ROTOR SEVERED TWO WIRES.  ONE SET WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND MAIN ROTOR PITCH CHANGE LINKS AND SWASHPLATE.  WRAPPED WIRES LOCKED CONTROLS AND CAUSED A LOW ROTOR RPM SITUATION.  AIRCRAFT HIT GROUND FLAT AT HIGH ANGLE AND VERTICAL SPEED.  UPON IMPACT AIRCRAFT EXPLODED AND BURNED.  PILOT WAS KILLED IN FIRE.

## 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 WPR11FA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA350), Jul 25, 2011: Sikorsky S-55B (N5663), Chelan, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Other reports on N5663 (1)

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

- [Accident 19740322008299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740322008299A), Mar 22, 1974: Skrsky S55B (N5663), Corvallis, OR, Substantial damage

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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