# Accident 20030707016859A: Skrsky S64E, Tucson, AZ, July 7, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 7, 2003, 18:00 local time
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Location: 32.1000° N, 110.9333° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1000&lon=-110.9333&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6979R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6979R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Sikorsky S-64E (registry code 8142604, https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-64e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney JFTD12A series (registry code 52047, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jftd12a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKRSKY S64E
- Reported engine: PWA JFTD12A4A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 22,746 total, 1,647 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX03TA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03TA229) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030707016859A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) WHILE FIREFIGHTING IN THE TUCSON, AZ AREA THE PILOT HAD MADE THE SIXTH (6TH) FUELING CYCLE (EA. "CYCLE IS APPROX. 1.5 HRS) AND WERE ABOUT TO DEPART WHEN THE GROUND CREW SIGNALED THE PILOTS TO SHUT DOWN THE HELICOPTER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CREW NOTICED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES WERE DAMAGED, MOSTLY AT THE TIP CAP ENDS. THE HELICOPTER DURING THE "CYCLE" (1.5 HRS) SHUT-DOWN/INSP/REFUELING/FIRE-RETARDENT DIP WAS AT THE "DIP-TANK" @ SABINO CANYON. THE DIP-TANK AREA @ SABINO HAD A COUPLE OF MESQUITE TREES OF FAIR SIZE LOCATED CLOSE TO THE DIP-TANK. ALSO EVIDENCE OF BROKEN (FRESHLY) BRANCHES FROM THESE TREES WAS DOCUMENTED. THIS AREA IS MOUNTAINOUS AND THE DIP TANK WAS LOCATED IN A FOOTHILL CANYON. THE DAMAGED T/R BLADES WERE REMOVED FOR FURTHER INSP. @ "ERICKSON AIR-CRANE" (FAA CRS #JYDR439F). NO FLT. CREW INJURIES OR MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE S-64E INCURRED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX03TA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03TA229), Jul 8, 2003: Sikorsky S-64E (N6979R), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance while hovering resulting in a tail rotor blade strike.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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