# NTSB WPR24LA173: Sikorsky S-55QT, N2302F, Benton City, WA, June 3, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 2, 2024, 18:27 local (Jun 3, 2024, 01:27 UTC) - Place: Benton City, WA · 46.3024821251609, -119.52323672480136 - Coordinates: 46.302015, -119.51982 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3020&lon=-119.5198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194389 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194389/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194389 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA173 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low altitude operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-55B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8141604), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-55B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8141604), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-55B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8141604), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-55B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8141604), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to hover over cherry trees in attempt to dry off the orchard following a rain shower. While maneuvering about 30 ft above ground level (agl) at an airspeed of about 20 mph, parallel to power lines on his right side, he performed a turn, and the tail rotor blades contacted and severed the adjacent power lines. The pilot felt a tail-rotor imbalance and opted to land immediately. During the accident sequence, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2302F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2302F), registered now, S/N 55188, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55QT - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55b) (registry code 8141604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Garrett TSE331-10UA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/garrett-tse331-10ua) (registry code 29120, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 55188 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 10268.2 - Engines: Garrett TSE331-10UA 1100 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: N2302f LLC - Registered owner: N2302f LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2024, 9.7 hours before - Departed: Benton City, WA - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,827 total, 20 in this make and model, 7,243 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: KRLD, 9 nm away - METAR: KRLD 030135Z AUTO 12007KT 10SM -RA OVC060 17/15 A2969 RMK AO2 T01710147 ## 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 20240602009059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240602009059A), Jun 2, 2024: Sikorsky S-55B, Benton City, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was conducting cherry drying operations when he misjudged the distance of power lines and the tail rotor made contact during a left hand turn. Pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194389. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 723 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17417692&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17417549&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos(Docket)-Rel.pdf 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.