Aircraft model
Sikorsky S-61 accident history
Complete safety record for the Sikorsky S-61, sourced from NTSB records, news reports, and official investigation authorities.
Total incidents
23
Confirmed fatalities
104
Fatal incidents
9
Fatal rate
39.1%
Probable causes
Mechanical failure11 incidents
Pilot error6 incidents
Unknown3 incidents
Under investigation2 incidents
CFIT / Terrain1 incident
Where incidents occurred
How many S-61 crashes have there been?
23 recorded incidents involving the Sikorsky S-61, from 1968 to 2026, with 104 deathsacross 9 fatal accidents. The deadliest was on 1968-05-22 at Paramount, United States, which killed 23.
What causes S-61 accidents?
The most common established cause is mechanical failure, in 11 of them, then pilot error in 6.
Where do S-61 accidents happen?
| Date | Location | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-24 | 🇰🇷Cheonan, South Korea | — |
| 2025-01-10 | 🇧🇯Sédjè, Benin | — |
| 2022-09-01 | 🇺🇸Shady Cove, United States | — |
| 2022-02-22 | 🇺🇸Kekaha, United States | 4 |
| 2020-04-20 | 🇦🇫Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan | — |
| 2018-02-01 | 🇬🇧Marchwood, United Kingdom | — |
| 2016-09-06 | 🇺🇸Palm Bay, United States | 3 |
| 2015-08-19 | 🇺🇸Ironside, United States | — |
| 2012-10-10 | 🇧🇷Carauari, Brazil | — |
| 2008-08-05 | 🇺🇸Weaverville, United States | 9 |
| 2008-07-19 | 🇵🇪Cusco, Peru | — |
| 2007-04-18 | 🇬🇱Kangia Icefjord, 25nm E of Ilulissat, Greenland | — |
| 2006-01-17 | 🇮🇪Conningbeg Lightship, off Co Wexford, Ireland | — |
| 2005-02-06 | 🇮🇪Ireland | — |
| 2004-11-30 | 🇳🇱Den Helder, Netherlands | — |
| 2003-08-18 | 🇮🇪Ireland | — |
| 1998-08-24 | 🇮🇪Dublin Port, Ireland | — |
| 1987-09-11 | 🇬🇱Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Greenland | 1 |
| 1983-07-16 | 🇬🇧Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom | 20 |
| 1978-06-26 | 🇳🇴Bergen, Norway | 18 |
| 1968-08-14 | 🇺🇸Compton, United States | 21 |
| 1968-05-22 | 🇺🇸Paramount, United States | 23 |
| 1968-02-10 | 🇩🇰Vadehavet, Denmark | 5 |