# NTSB ANC01LA109: Sikorsky S61A, N5193Y, Wrangell, AK, August 11, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 2001, 11:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Wrangell, AK - Coordinates: 56.474477, -132.38786 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4745&lon=-132.3879&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Juneau Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 54369 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54369/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA109 ## Probable cause The separation of a steel long line cable that failed and rebounded from a load of logs into the helicopter's main and tail rotors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other - external load cable/hook - separation (cause) - In flight collision with object, other - object - other - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact - Forced landing, descent - emergency ## Analysis The operator of the helicopter logging operation reported that a steel long line cable failed while the flight crew was setting a load of logs down. The long line rebounded into the main and tail rotor blades, causing substantial damage to both sets of blades. The flight crew was able to make an immediate and successful emergency landing without further damaging the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 2001, about 1150 Alaska daylight time, a Sikorsky S61A helicopter, N5193Y, operated by Silver Bay Logging, Incorporated, under 14 CFR Part 133, sustained substantial damage when a steel long-line broke while lifting logs. The two airline transport certificated pilots were not injured. The accident occurred on Etolin Island, about 12 miles southwest of Wrangell, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 14, the director of maintenance for the operator related that an American-made steel cable, approximately 200 feet in length, broke about 60 feet above the load of logs the helicopter was lifting. The 5/8 inch cable contacted the helicopter's main and tail rotor blades. The helicopter was able to make an uneventful emergency landing after the crew detached the remaining cable and felt excessive vibration. Postaccident inspection disclosed substantial damage to the main and tail rotors. Two main rotor blades and the tail rotor blades were replaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5193Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5193Y), registered now, S/N 61-184, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sikorsky S61A - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-61A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-61a) (registry code 814210C) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CT58-140-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-ct58-140-1) (registry code 30128, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 61184 - Airframe hours: 14310 - Engines: General Electric CT58-140-1 1250 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Silver Bay Logging Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 10, 2001, 9 hours before - Departed: Wrangell, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 10, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 11,830 total, 6,094 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 12, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 5,600 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010811039289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010811039289A), Aug 11, 2001: Skrsky S61A, Wrangell, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Investigation revealed that the 5/8" steel cable (long line) had failed between the helicopter sling hook and the external sling load (logs) at the time… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.