Sikorsky S-76A N517AL

Summary

On 22 September 1997 at about 10:30 local time, a Sikorsky S-76A registered N517AL was involved in an accident near Patterson, Louisiana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 September 1997 at 10:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Patterson, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Harry P Williams Mem (PTN)

Coordinates

29.6896, -91.3005

Aircraft

Sikorsky S-76A

Registration

N517AL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Grand Chenier

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW97LA356

2 people were seriously injured.

failure of the copilot to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff, which led to an inadvertent descent and collision with a crop of sugar cane and the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the pilot-in-command's inadequate monitoring of the copilot, when he diverted his attention to adjusting the instrument lights.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the initial takeoff climb at night in fog, the copilot, who was the pilot flying, allowed the helicopter to enter a descent. The pilot-in-command (PIC) was adjusting the instrument lights at the copilot's request, and did not realize the helicopter was descending until it was approximately 100 feet above the ground. The PIC attempted to arrest the descent, but was unable to do so before the helicopter settled into a crop of sugar cane. After the helicopter 'plowed a path' through the crop, it briefly became airborne, then contacted the ground and came to a stop resting on its right side.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.