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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 22, 1989 · Sikorsky S-76A · N767SA

Washington, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 22, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Washington, PA
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-76A
Tail Number
N767SA
Operator
E I Du Pont De Nemours &
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC89FA088

THE SIKORSKY S-76A WAS EN ROUTE BETWEEN TWO UNCONTROLLED HELIPORTS, OPERATING BELOW A CLOUD LAYER. THE SHIP INADVERTENTLY ENCOUNTERED REDUCED VISIBILITY AND THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER CLEAR OF THE AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE RIGHT & SETTLING WITH POWER. THE PLT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND TRIED TO FLY OUT, BUT THE SHIP CONTACTED TREES WITH THE MAIN ROTORS AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE, RECEIVING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PIC HAD DESCRIBED THE WEATHER TO THE SIC AS GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE A LOOK, BUT NOT BAD ENOUGH TO CANCEL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) WHICH RESULTED IN HIS LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S FLIGHT INTO KNOWN WEATHER, THE ADVERSE WEATHER, AND TREES AT THE ACCIDENT SIGHT.

Full Narrative

THE SIKORSKY S-76A WAS EN ROUTE BETWEEN TWO UNCONTROLLED HELIPORTS, OPERATING BELOW A CLOUD LAYER. THE SHIP INADVERTENTLY ENCOUNTERED REDUCED VISIBILITY AND THE PIC ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER CLEAR OF THE AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE RIGHT & SETTLING WITH POWER. THE PLT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND TRIED TO FLY OUT, BUT THE SHIP CONTACTED TREES WITH THE MAIN ROTORS AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE, RECEIVING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PIC HAD DESCRIBED THE WEATHER TO THE SIC AS GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE A LOOK, BUT NOT BAD ENOUGH TO CANCEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-76A
Tail NumberN767SA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorE I Du Pont De Nemours &
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30S · Turboshaft · 650
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 9 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data