Sikorsky S-58ET

PH-NZR Sikorsky S-61N c/n 61.808 - KLM Helikopters - near the Ericsson plant in Emmen, Holland - 8 September 1990

The Sikorsky S-61N is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter with a sealed hull for amphibious operations that can accommodate a basic crew of two and up to 26 passengers. The Sikorsky S61N is based on the military SH-3A/S61B Sea King series originally developed in the late 1950s for all-weather operations. The Sikorsky S-61B prototype flew on 11 March 1959 and the type entered service with the U.S. Navy as the SH-3A Sea King in 1962. On 7 August 1962, the identical Sikorsky S-61N was flown first and the S-61N entered production the same year. Production ended in 1979.

On 8 September 1990, King Gustav of Sweden was one of the guests with the opening of the new plant and research centre of Ericsson Radio Systems in Emmen, the Netherlands. The guests were flown in by KLM Helikopters with two Sikorsky S-61N: PH-NZI #1 and PH-NZR #2. The helicopters landed near the Ericsson facilities. The 1978-built Sikorsky S-61N s/n 61.808 (ex. LN-OQN) was registered PH-NZR with KLM NV, operated by KLM Helikopters BV, on 3 April 1986. The PH-NZR was used for Offshore flights first out of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, later out of Den Helder - de Kooy. On 10 December 1993, the PH-NZR was registered with KLM ERA Helicopters. As UN-191 the helicopter was operated in Bosnia for the United Nations between mid 1994 and mid 1995. On 11 February 1998, the PH-NZR was registered to Rowan Drilling Aviation (Netherlands) BV in Badhoevedorp. After the registration PH-NZR was cancelled the same day, the helicopter was registered temporary N563EH in the USA on 12 February 1998. On 18 February 1998, the helicopter was registered as N563EH with ERA Aviation Inc. in Anchorage, USA.