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NTSB Report
September 15, 1989 · Sikorsky H-34J · N4556D
Louisville, GA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Louisville, GA
Aircraft
Sikorsky H-34J
Tail Number
N4556D
Operator
Clifton D Mcgowan
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89LA212
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A LOGGING OPERATION, A JERKING MOTION WAS NOTED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING AT 200 FEET. THE MOTION OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE PILOT EJECTED THE LONG LINE AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN A SWAMPY AREA AND BURNED. IT WAS NOT RECOVERED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY THROUGHOUT THE EMERGENCY. THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD FAILED.
NTSB Probable Cause
AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A LOGGING OPERATION, A JERKING MOTION WAS NOTED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING AT 200 FEET. THE MOTION OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE PILOT EJECTED THE LONG LINE AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN A SWAMPY AREA AND BURNED. IT WAS NOT RECOVERED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY THROUGHOUT THE EMERGENCY. THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD FAILED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftSikorsky H-34J
Tail NumberN4556D
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClifton D Mcgowan
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1820-84D · Reciprocating · 1525
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT