Sikorsky S-76B N14CS
13 September 2005 · Linden, New Jersey, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 13 September 2005 at about 16:45 local time, a Sikorsky S-76B registered N14CS, operated by ExcelAire Service Inc., was involved in an accident near Linden, New Jersey, United States. 3 people were on board. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Linden, New Jersey, United States
- Nearest airport
- Linden Airport (LDJ)
- Coordinates
- 40.6172, -74.2444
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-76B
- Registration
- N14CS
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- ExcelAire Service Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Linden → White Plains
- Aircraft damage
- Not recorded
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- IAD05LA135
People
Injuries not recorded.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The lineman's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the main rotor system. A factor was his lack of familiarity with the accident helicopter make and model.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The helicopter was taxied to the fixed fuel pump, and engine power was reduced to idle. As the main rotor continued to turn, a lineman approached the helicopter from the 11 o'clock position. He initially bent down as he proceeded toward the helicopter, but suddenly stood upright, and was struck by the helicopter's rotor. The fueling operator conducted no formal training of lineman, and what "on-the-job training" was conducted, was not documented. On the lineman's application for employment he stated that he had previous experience operating in a military aviation environment. According to the accident helicopter's flight manual, "Some persons may have prior experience with helicopters for which approach from the front is preferred. Approach from the front of an S-76 is not permitted. It is essential that all persons are properly informed regarding the safe approach/departure angles of the S-76."
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Sikorsky S-76B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 2005 | Sikorsky S-76B | New York City, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 2001 | Sikorsky S-76B | P'ohang, Republic Of Korea | Dae-Woo Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. | Fatal | 8 |
| 17 Apr 2012 | Sikorsky S-76B | Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, United States | RDC Marine Inc | No injuries | - |
| 5 Dec 2013 | Sikorsky S 76B | Port Fourchon, Louisiana, United States | Mayeux's Flying Service Inc | No injuries | - |
| 20 Dec 1997 | Sikorsky S-76B | North Sea, Netherlands | - | Unknown | - |
| 12 Dec 1996 | Sikorsky S-76B | Omeath Ireland, Ireland | Norbrook Laboratories | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jul 2005 | Meyer ATLANTIS | Pittstown, New Jersey, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 31 May 2005 | Swearingen SA-226T | Teterboro, New Jersey, United States | Dominick Alfieri | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Aug 2005 | Cirrus SR20 | Farmingdale, New Jersey, United States | Cerified Flyers II | No injuries | - |
| 7 Feb 2005 | Air Creation CLIPPER 912 | Woodbine, New Jersey, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 5 Jul 2005 | Grumman American AA-5 | Branchville, New Jersey, United States | Peter John Horvat | Serious injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 2005 | Piper PA-25 | Cape May, New Jersey, United States | - | No injuries | - |