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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 1, 1984 · Sikorsky S-76A · N763AL

High Isl Blk595

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 1, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
High Isl Blk595
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-76A
Tail Number
N763AL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW84FA216

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FT OVER GULF WATERS, THE LEFT ENGINE SUSTAINED A MASSIVE, UNCONTAINED, EXPLOSIVE FAILURE. SHARPNEL PENETRATED THE RIGHT ENGINE, WHICH FAILED FROM DAMAGE. SHARPNEL ALSO PENETRATED THE AC AND DC JUNCTION BOXES, CAUSING COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE (NO MAYDAY CALL POSSIBLE). SHARPNEL FURTHER SEVERED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND PENETRATED THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM; FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. USING THE CO-PLT'S SIDE WINDOW FOR VISUAL ACQUISITION OF THE WATER SURFACE, A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AND SANK SINCE THE EMERGENCY FLOATATION GEAR IS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AND FAILED TO DEPLOY. AFTER SUCCESSFUL EVACUATION BY ALL OCCUPANTS, PLT RETURNED TO THE INVERTED ACFT AND DEPLOYED LIFE RAFTS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LEFT ENGINE COMPRESSOR-TO-TURBINE COUPLING HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. TURBINE WENT OVERSPEED AND BURST UNDER CENTRIFUGAL LOADS.

Full Narrative

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FT OVER GULF WATERS, THE LEFT ENGINE SUSTAINED A MASSIVE, UNCONTAINED, EXPLOSIVE FAILURE. SHARPNEL PENETRATED THE RIGHT ENGINE, WHICH FAILED FROM DAMAGE. SHARPNEL ALSO PENETRATED THE AC AND DC JUNCTION BOXES, CAUSING COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE (NO MAYDAY CALL POSSIBLE). SHARPNEL FURTHER SEVERED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT AND PENETRATED THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM; FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. USING THE CO-PLT'S SIDE WINDOW FOR VISUAL ACQUISITION OF THE WATER SURFACE, A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AND SANK SINCE THE EMERGENCY FLOATATION GEAR IS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AND FAILED TO DEPLOY. AFTER SUCCESSFUL EVACUATION BY ALL OCCUPANTS, PLT RETURNED TO THE INVERTED ACFT AND DEPLOYED LIFE RAFTS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LEFT ENGINE COMPRESSOR-TO-TURBINE COUPLING HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE. TURBINE WENT OVERSPEED AND BURST UNDER CENTRIFUGAL LOADS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionIflt

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-76A
Tail NumberN763AL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30S · Turboshaft · 250
Seats14

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind11° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data