Sikorsky S-61A N8170V
12 January 2003 · Glady, West Virginia, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 12 January 2003 at about 17:20 local time, a Sikorsky S-61A registered N8170V was involved in an accident near Glady, West Virginia, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 17:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Glady, West Virginia, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.7986, -79.7181
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-61A
- Registration
- N8170V
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Glady → Glady
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC03LA037
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The improper installation of the left tailrotor control cable by company maintenance personnel.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The helicopter came out of maintenance, the captain and first officer conducted a test flight, and then ferried it to the area of operation. The next day, the captain entered a 155-foot out of ground effect hover, and an external load was connected. About the same time, the helicopter started a slow uncommanded yaw to the right. The captain applied full left pedal, released the load, and entered an autorotation. Examination of the tailrotor control system revealed that the left anti-torque control cable was broken. The break was associated with a pulley assembly, the cable strands were bent rearward, and deformed. The cable fracture surfaces were irregular, and also deformed. The associated keeper pins displayed wear marks, and light scratches consistent with control cable contact. The associated pulley was intact. The pulley channel contained an oil-based debris, and control cable fragments. Both tailrotor cables were removed and reinstalled within the last 5.3 hours of operation by company maintenance personnel.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sikorsky S-61A accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Mar 2003 | Sikorsky S-61A | Kimble, Tennessee, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Mar 2002 | Sikorsky S-61A | Lakehead, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 20 Aug 2015 | Sikorsky S 61A | Ironside, Oregon, United States | Croman Corp | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Dec 1972 | Sikorsky S-61A | Chelan, Washington, United States | Columbia Const | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jun 2003 | Boeing A75N1(PT17) | Sutton, West Virginia, United States | Worden L. McCalum | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Oct 2003 | Williams RV-4 | Metz, West Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Feb 2003 | Young CHALLENGER II | Huntington, West Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 May 2003 | Piper PA-28-180 | Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, United States | Kenneth G. McLeod | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 May 2003 | Piper PA32-260 | Huntington, West Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Jun 2003 | Champion 7EC | Point Pleasant, West Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |