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NTSB Report
June 11, 1985 · Sikorsky S76A · N176FJ
Belmar, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury, 4 minor injuries)
Location
Belmar, NJ
Aircraft
Sikorsky S76A
Tail Number
N176FJ
Operator
Raco Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85FA145
DURING TAKEOFF & LANDING PRACTICE FOR A PRE-SOLO PLT THE CFI SAW A HELICOPTER, N176FJ, APPROACHING THE ARPT. N4956B, AT THE TIME OF 1ST SIGHTING, WAS ON A LEFT BASE FOR RWY 3. THE ROTORCRAFT APPARENTLY DID NOT SEE N4956B OR HEAR ANY RADIO CALLS AT THIS UNCONTROLLED ARPT. THE ROTORCRAFT CAME FROM THE SOUTH TO HOVER OVER A POSITION NEAR THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY BY RWY 3. THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING & N4956B WAS LIFTING OFF AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING WHEN IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE HELICOPTER. WHEN THE CFI WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT HE STATED THAT THEY WERE CAUGHT IN THE HELICOPTERS ROTOR VORTEX TURBULENCE.
Full Narrative
DURING TAKEOFF & LANDING PRACTICE FOR A PRE-SOLO PLT THE CFI SAW A HELICOPTER, N176FJ, APPROACHING THE ARPT. N4956B, AT THE TIME OF 1ST SIGHTING, WAS ON A LEFT BASE FOR RWY 3. THE ROTORCRAFT APPARENTLY DID NOT SEE N4956B OR HEAR ANY RADIO CALLS AT THIS UNCONTROLLED ARPT. THE ROTORCRAFT CAME FROM THE SOUTH TO HOVER OVER A POSITION NEAR THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY BY RWY 3. THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING & N4956B WAS LIFTING OFF AFTER A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING WHEN IT VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE HELICOPTER. WHEN THE CFI WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACFT HE STATED THAT THEY WERE CAUGHT IN THE HELICOPTERS ROTOR VORTEX TURBULENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EDT
Nearest AirportBelmar Monmouth Co. (0nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length3707 ft
Runway Width46 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSikorsky S76A
Tail NumberN176FJ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRaco Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30S · Turboshaft · 650 | Lycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury, 4 minor injuries)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 29 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC