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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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June 20, 1984 · Sikorsky CH-19E · N4721

Iva, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Iva, SC
Aircraft
Sikorsky CH-19E
Tail Number
N4721
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL84LA205

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED FROM SLOPING TERRAIN. AFTER RETURNING FROM A SPRAY MISSION, THE PLT REMAINED INSIDE THE HELICOPTER WITH THE ENG & ROTOR AT GROUND IDLE WHILE THE GROUND CREW REFILLED THE SPRAY TANK. AFTER COMPLETING THE LOADING OPERATION, THE PLT BEGAN APPLYING POWER TO INCREASE THE ROTOR RPM FOR TAKEOFF. A SEVERE GROUND-RESONANCE TYPE OF VIBRATION DEVELOPED. THE PLT DISENGAGED THE ENG & APPLIED THE ROTOR BRAKE. WHEN THE ROTOR HAD STOPPED & THE ENG WAS SECURED, THE PLT EGRESSED & OBSERVED THAT THE AFT END OF THE TAIL BOOM WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND. NO PRE-ACCIDENT CRACKS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND IN THE TAIL BOOM. SOME COMPONENTS OF THE ROTOR SYS HAD CRACKS, BUT NONE HAD FAILED OR SEPARATED. THE MAIN ROTOR LEAD-LAG DAMPERS WERE REMOVED & CHECKED FOR TIME & ALL WERE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. PERSONNEL WHO RECOVERED THE HELICOPTER NOTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT LANDING GEAR STRUT WAS FLAT & THE LEFT REAR MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT WAS LOW. THEY ESTIMATED THE TERRAIN WAS SLOPING 10 DEGS.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERATED FROM SLOPING TERRAIN. AFTER RETURNING FROM A SPRAY MISSION, THE PLT REMAINED INSIDE THE HELICOPTER WITH THE ENG & ROTOR AT GROUND IDLE WHILE THE GROUND CREW REFILLED THE SPRAY TANK. AFTER COMPLETING THE LOADING OPERATION, THE PLT BEGAN APPLYING POWER TO INCREASE THE ROTOR RPM FOR TAKEOFF. A SEVERE GROUND-RESONANCE TYPE OF VIBRATION DEVELOPED. THE PLT DISENGAGED THE ENG & APPLIED THE ROTOR BRAKE. WHEN THE ROTOR HAD STOPPED & THE ENG WAS SECURED, THE PLT EGRESSED & OBSERVED THAT THE AFT END OF THE TAIL BOOM WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND. NO PRE-ACCIDENT CRACKS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND IN THE TAIL BOOM. SOME COMPONENTS OF THE ROTOR SYS HAD CRACKS, BUT NONE HAD FAILED OR SEPARATED. THE MAIN ROTOR LEAD-LAG DAMPERS WERE REMOVED & CHECKED FOR TIME & ALL WERE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. PERSONNEL WHO RECOVERED THE HELICOPTER NOTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT LANDING GEAR STRUT WAS FLAT & THE LEFT REAR MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT WAS LOW. THEY ESTIMATED THE TERRAIN WAS SLOPING 10 DEGS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky CH-19E
Tail NumberN4721
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1300-3 · Reciprocating · 800
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data