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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 6, 1983 · Sikorsky S-58D · N6488

Gatlingurg, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Gatlingurg, TN
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-58D
Tail Number
N6488
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83FA312

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ON A WOODED MOUNTAINSIDE AFTER LIFTOFF. THE PLT SAID A POWER LOSS OCCURRED AFTER ITWAS TO LATE TO ABORT. TAKEOFF WAS MADE FROM A LOT THAT WAS 5200 FT MSL. THE PLT HOVER-CHECKED AT 2500 RPM AND 39.5 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE PRIOR TO TRANSITION TO FORWARD FLT. THE ACFT CLIMBED ONLY 20 FT BEFORE POWERLOSS OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO CHIP LIGHTS OR UNUSUAL ENGINE GAGE READINGS. THIS WAS THE PLTS 65TH TRIP FOR THE DAY. DURING THE IMPACT THE THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THE COMPRESSION WAS FOUND TO BE LOW ON 4 CYLINDERS, TWO OF WHICH WERE ZERO. TSO WAS 573 HOURS. THE CARBURETOR INLET SCREEN WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED WITH FIBER LINT. COMPRESSION WAS BEING LOST THROUGH THE EXHAUST VALVES. FUEL FILTER WERE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED WITH CONTAMINANTS FROM FUEL DRUMS AT A WORKSITE.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ON A WOODED MOUNTAINSIDE AFTER LIFTOFF. THE PLT SAID A POWER LOSS OCCURRED AFTER ITWAS TO LATE TO ABORT. TAKEOFF WAS MADE FROM A LOT THAT WAS 5200 FT MSL. THE PLT HOVER-CHECKED AT 2500 RPM AND 39.5 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE PRIOR TO TRANSITION TO FORWARD FLT. THE ACFT CLIMBED ONLY 20 FT BEFORE POWERLOSS OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO CHIP LIGHTS OR UNUSUAL ENGINE GAGE READINGS. THIS WAS THE PLTS 65TH TRIP FOR THE DAY. DURING THE IMPACT THE THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THE COMPRESSION WAS FOUND TO BE LOW ON 4 CYLINDERS, TWO OF WHICH WERE ZERO. TSO WAS 573 HOURS. THE CARBURETOR INLET SCREEN WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED WITH FIBER LINT. COMPRESSION WAS BEING LOST THROUGH THE EXHAUST VALVES. FUEL FILTER WERE PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED WITH CONTAMINANTS FROM FUEL DRUMS AT A WORKSITE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSikorsky S-58D
Tail NumberN6488
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1820-84 · Reciprocating · 1475
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data