Aircraft & UAVs

B-7345 rescue helicopter

Also known as
  • B-7345
  • B7345
  • China Rescue B-7345
  • Donghai Second Rescue Flying Team B-7345
  • East China Sea Second Rescue Flying Team B-7345
  • 东海第二救助飞行队 B-7345
  • Sikorsky S-76C
  • S-76C
  • S-76C-2
  • Keystone Sikorsky S-76C-2
  • N796A
  • Serial 760796

B-7345 is a Sikorsky S-76C search-and-rescue helicopter operated by China Rescue in the East China Sea Second Rescue Flying Team. Registration and photo records identify the airframe as serial 760796, while Chinese reporting places it in the Taiwan Strait and Fujian coastal rescue system alongside Donghai Jiu 113 and records its use in hoist, evacuation, and ship-supported rescue missions.

B-7345 rescue helicopter, Search-and-rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: N120TN Sikorsky S-76C Helicopter (29654938944).jpg
Profile / Specs

Specifications

Operator
China Rescue / Ministry of Transport rescue and salvage system
Assigned unit
East China Sea Second Rescue Flying Team; reported in the unit fleet from 2016
Rescue-service area
Taiwan Strait and Fujian coastal waters in cited China Rescue reporting
Documented rescue modes
Hoist rescue, offshore evacuation, emergency medical transfer, and ship-supported rescue coordination
Serial identity
760796; listed as B-7345 and former N796A in aviation photo and production-list records
Variant identification
Public photo records identify B-7345 as an S-76C; Rotorspot lists serial 760796 as Keystone (Sikorsky) S-76C-2
Certified S-76C engine installations
Turbomeca Arriel 1S1, Arriel 2S1, or Arriel 2S2 depending subvariant and serial configuration
Maximum certified mass
5,307 kg (11,700 lb)
Maximum passenger seating
1 cockpit passenger seat plus 12 cabin seats
Crew
2 pilots for IFR; 1 pilot permitted for VFR or approved single-pilot IFR configurations
Length overall
16.0 m
Main rotor diameter
13.41 m
Variants

B-7345 is publicly identified as an S-76C-series airframe. Open photo records use the broad S-76C designation for serial 760796, while Rotorspot's production list gives the more specific Keystone (Sikorsky) S-76C-2 identity.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
S-76CC-series production variant

The S-76C followed the S-76B with Arriel powerplants and 11,700 lb gross-weight certification; certification and initial deliveries are reported in 1991.

Sources: Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast International, Sikorsky S-76 - Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives

S-76C+uprated C-series variant

The C+ introduced Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC; Lockheed Martin groups S-76C and S-76C+ production together in its legacy-model summary.

Sources: Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast International, Sikorsky S-76® Helicopter - Lockheed Martin

S-76C++later C-series variant

The C++ used Arriel 2S2 engines and was the subject of Sikorsky's C+ upgrade program; Lockheed Martin lists 214 C++ helicopters built.

Sources: Sikorsky S-76® Helicopter - Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast International

Keystone (Sikorsky) S-76C-2production-list identity for serial 760796

Rotorspot lists serial 760796 as Keystone (Sikorsky) S-76C-2 with registrations N796A and B-7345; JetPhotos identifies B-7345 as China Rescue S-76C serial 760796.

Sources: Rotorcraft production list Sikorsky S-76 - Rotorspot, B-7345/B7345 aviation photos on JetPhotos

Rescue Vessel Coordination

Public rescue reporting ties B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 through shared Taiwan Strait coverage and documented incident response.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Donghai Jiu 113, Search and rescue vessel, Naval SystemsDonghai Jiu 113search and rescue vessel

Chinese rescue reporting describes B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 as long-term Taiwan Strait rescue forces, and a 2021 typhoon-response report says B-7345 transferred rescued crew members to Donghai Jiu 113.

Sources: B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 at Meizhou Island - China News Service, 52 crew rescued in Taiwan Strait - International Ship Network via Sohu

Rescue Service Context

The open record ties B-7345 to China Rescue's East China Sea Second Rescue Flying Team and to Donghai Jiu 113 through shared Taiwan Strait rescue coverage and a documented typhoon-response transfer.

ContextDocumented detailEvidence
Operating unitEast China Sea Second Rescue Flying TeamXiamen reporting says B-7345 joined the Donghai Second Rescue Flying Team fleet in 2016; the same profile describes its Xiamen and Fuzhou rescue basing.
Service areaTaiwan Strait and Fujian coastal watersChina News Service reported B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 as long-term professional rescue forces for life, environmental, and property rescue in those waters.
Donghai Jiu 113, Search and rescue vessel, Naval SystemsDonghai Jiu 113Ship-supported rescue contextDuring the 2021 Enterprise 6 response, reporting said B-7345 transferred remaining crew members to Donghai Jiu 113 and later moved personnel back to Enterprise 6 while the ship stood by for towing work.
Timeline

B-7345 rescue helicopter Key Events

  1. S-76 series introduced

    Lockheed Martin describes the S-76 series as introduced in 1977 and built for offshore transport before expanding into executive, SAR, airline, and helicopter emergency medical roles.

    Sources: Sikorsky S-76® Helicopter - Lockheed Martin

  2. S-76C enters service

    Forecast International reports that S-76C certification and initial deliveries occurred in 1991 after the variant was announced at the 1989 Paris Air Show.

    Sources: Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast International

  3. S-76C+ production variant follows

    The S-76C+ introduced Arriel 2S1 engines with FADEC and entered production in 1996.

    Sources: Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast International

  4. S-76C++ certification and delivery

    Forecast International reports FAA certification and initial delivery of the S-76C++ in December 2005, with the model adding Arriel 2S2 engines and other configuration changes.

    Sources: Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast International

  5. B-7345 joins Donghai Second Rescue Flying Team

    Xiamen local reporting on the flying team's 20th anniversary says B-7345 entered the East China Sea Second Rescue Flying Team fleet in 2016 after B-7310 and B-7328.

    Sources: Donghai Second Rescue Flying Team 20th Anniversary - Xiamen Net

  6. Enterprise 6 crew transferred to Donghai Jiu 113

    International Ship Network reporting said B-7345 flew from Xiamen Gaoqi and transferred the remaining Enterprise 6 crew members to Donghai Jiu 113 during a Taiwan Strait typhoon rescue.

    Sources: 52 crew rescued in Taiwan Strait - International Ship Network via Sohu

  7. Pingtan wind-platform evacuation

    China Youth Daily reporting said Donghai Rescue Bureau sent B-7345 and B-7346 to evacuate workers from an offshore wind-power platform northeast of Pingtan Island during Typhoon Nalgae.

    Sources: 福建湄洲岛邀请公众登上专业救助船了解海上救援-腾讯新闻 - QQ News

  8. Displayed with Donghai Jiu 113 at Meizhou Island

    China News Service reported B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 at a Meizhou Island public rescue event and described them as long-term Taiwan Strait rescue forces for life, environmental, and property rescue work.

    Sources: B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 at Meizhou Island - China News Service

  9. Medical evacuation southeast of Xiamen

    China Daily reported that B-7345 departed Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, hoisted a seriously ill crew member and an escort from a fishing vessel, and landed at Xiamen University Xiang'an Hospital.

    Sources: China Daily: B-7345 medical evacuation

Media

B-7345 rescue helicopter Images

B-7345 rescue helicopter, Search-and-rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Sikorsky S-76C N821SS FDK MD2.jpg
B-7345 rescue helicopter, Search-and-rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: EC-JES Sikorsky S-76C VGO.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
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Donghai Jiu 113, Search and rescue vessel, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsDonghai Jiu 113Search and rescue vesselDonghai Jiu 113 is a Chinese East China Sea Rescue Bureau search-and-rescue vessel built by Guangzhou Huangpu Shipbuilding in 2009. Sources describe the roughly 99-meter ship as a long-range rescue, towing, salvage, firefighting, and pollution-response platform with a helicopter deck, 10,000- to 15,000-nautical-mile reported range, and more than 100 tonnes of towing force; official Chinese and Taiwanese reporting later placed it in the June 2026 east-of-Taiwan maritime law-enforcement operation.
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Sources

福建湄洲岛邀请公众登上专业救助船了解海上救援-腾讯新闻 - QQ NewsPublisher: Tencent News | Note: China Youth Daily client report republished by Tencent; supports Donghai Jiu 113 service counts, Taiwan Strait rescue context, B-7345 and B-7346 in the 2022 Typhoon Nalgae offshore wind-platform evacuation, and Donghai Second Rescue Flying Team service statistics. | Accessed: 2026-07-04B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 at Meizhou Island - China News ServicePublisher: China News Service | Note: Supports B-7345 and Donghai Jiu 113 being displayed together at the 2025 Meizhou Island rescue event, Ministry of Transport Rescue and Salvage Bureau photo context, their long-term Taiwan Strait rescue-force role, and life/environment/property rescue coverage in the Taiwan Strait and Fujian coastal waters. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Donghai Second Rescue Flying Team 20th Anniversary - Xiamen NetPublisher: Xiamen Net | Note: Supports East China Sea Second Rescue Flying Team operator context, B-7345 joining the fleet in 2016, Xiamen and Fuzhou basing, aircraft mix, rescue radius, response time, and rescue mission totals through August 2024. | Accessed: 2026-07-0452 crew rescued in Taiwan Strait - International Ship Network via SohuPublisher: International Ship Network via Sohu | Note: Supports B-7345's 2021 Taiwan Strait typhoon rescue sorties, Xiamen Gaoqi and Fuzhou Changle operating context, crew hoist work, transfer of remaining Enterprise 6 crew members to Donghai Jiu 113, and later personnel transfer back to Enterprise 6 while Donghai Jiu 113 prepared towing work. | Accessed: 2026-07-04China Daily: B-7345 medical evacuationPublisher: China Daily | Note: Supports B-7345's 27 September 2025 medical-evacuation sortie from Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, hoist work from a fishing vessel, and landing at Xiamen University Xiang'an Hospital. | Accessed: 2026-07-04B-7345/B7345 aviation photos on JetPhotosPublisher: JetPhotos | Note: Supports the B-7345 registration, China Rescue operator, Sikorsky S-76C type, and serial 760796. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky S-76® Helicopter - Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin manufacturer background, S-76 mission segments including SAR, 1977 introduction, delivered fleet scale, and legacy S-76C/C+/C++ production context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky S-76 - Igor I. Sikorsky Historical ArchivesPublisher: Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives | Note: Supports S-76 family development background, S-76C-series variant chronology, engine families, gross-weight context, dimensions, passenger capacity, and production history. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EASA.IM.R.113 — S-76 SeriesPublisher: European Union Aviation Safety Agency | Note: Supports the S-76 type certificate holder, certified S-76C engine-installation families, maximum mass, passenger seating, and crew/IFR limitations. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky S-76 - Forecast InternationalPublisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports S-76C, S-76C+, and S-76C++ variant-development chronology, engine distinctions, certification/delivery context, and S-76 technical dimensions. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rotorcraft production list Sikorsky S-76 - RotorspotPublisher: Rotorspot | Note: Supports production-list identity for serial 760796 as Keystone (Sikorsky) S-76C-2 with registrations N796A and B-7345. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky S-76C - Helis.comPublisher: Helis.com | Note: Supports general S-76C configuration and family context; official and industry references are preferred for exact powerplant and certification claims. | Accessed: 2026-07-04N120TN Sikorsky S-76C Helicopter (29654938944).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an S-76C helicopter photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky S-76C N821SS FDK MD2.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an S-76C helicopter photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EC-JES Sikorsky S-76C VGO.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an S-76C helicopter photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04