# NTSB SEA91FA143: Sikorsky S-64E, N6959R, Index, WA, June 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1991, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Index, WA
- Coordinates: 47.840507, -121.429901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8405&lon=-121.4299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 2 minor; on the ground: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA143

## Probable cause

THE CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE MECHANIC WHEN HE INADVERTENTLY RAISED THE COLLECTIVE PITCH AND THE COPILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTEND THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOTION SICKNESS OF THE MECHANIC, INADEQUATE COLLECTIVE PITCH CONTROL LOCKING MECHANISM UTILIZED BY THE COMPANY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS THAT DIVERTED THE CO-PILOT'S ATTENTION FROM ATTENDING THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - control interference - inadvertent, other crewmember (cause)
  - incapacitation(motion sickness), other crewmember (contributing factor)
  - collective - inadvertent activation, other crewmember (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - diverted attention, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - uncontrolled, copilot/second pilot (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD LOGGING OPN AND THE PIC HAD LANDED AT A FIELD SITE TO REFUEL.  THE PIC EXITED, WITH THE ACFT RUNNING AT FULL RPM WHILE IT WAS BEING REFUELED, AND THE COPILOT REMAINED IN THE RIGHT SEAT COMPLETING LOAD REPORTS.  THE ACFT CONTROLS WERE UNATTENDED.  THE CREW CHIEF WAS SEATED IN THE AFT FACING HOIST OPR STATION, WHICH HAD THE COLLECTIVE PITCH STICK INSTALLED BESIDE THE SEAT.  HE HAD BECOME AIR SICK DURING THE FLT, AND REMAINED SEATED AFTER THE PIC EXITED.  WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT, WHICH REQUIRED THAT HE STAND, TURN AROUND AND STEP UP OUT OF THE SEAT WELL, THE ACFT TOOK OFF TO A HOVER AND ROTATED TO THE LEFT.  THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A ROTOR BLADE BOX ON TOP OF A SUPPORT TRAILER PARKED BY THE REFUELING SITE, FRACTURING THE AFT TAIL BOOM, PYLON AND TAIL ROTOR FROM THE ACFT.  THE ACFT PITCHED NOSE DOWN, ROLLED OVER AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6959R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6959R-2001-03-02), registration cancelled 2001-03-02, S/N 64002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-64E
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-64E](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-64e) (registry code 8142604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 64002
- Engines: P&W JFTD12A4A 4500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Erickson Air Crane Co.
- Registered owner: Erickson Air Crane Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, INDEX, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 17,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 38 nm away

## 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 19910627024349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910627024349A), Jun 27, 1991: Skrsky S64E, Index, WA, Destroyed. Pilot left engine running,rotors turning,walked away. Mechanic hit collective accidently. Helicopter raised,crashed

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.

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