Under contract to the US Navy, the helicopter was providing retrieval support for a routine training operation when the crash happened. Brian Beattie, Croman director of operations, said the Sikorsky S-61N had just retrieved an object from the water and was trying to drop it on the ground when something went wrong. Post crash fire All... Read more
The commercial pilot reported that shortly after picking up a bucket of water from a pond he gained airspeed and initiated a climbing left turn back towards the fire. As the helicopter started to climb, he heard a drop in RPM and the helicopter lost power. He attempted to continue the climb; however, the helicopter... Read more
17-Jul-09 N613CK Sikorsky SH-3K Trinity Alps (nr Forks of Salmon), US-California... Read more