# Accident 20190515011089A: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp S-76D, Morrilton, AR, May 15, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 15, 2019, 18:30 local time
- Place: Morrilton, AR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: Z1RA
- Location: 35.1018° N, 92.7652° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1018&lon=-92.7652&mi=10
- Aircraft: N761AF, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N761AF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Sikorsky S-76D (registry code 8143021, https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S (registry code 52294, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw210s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP S-76D
- Reported engine: P&W CANADA PW210S
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN19LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA146) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190515011089A

## Narrative

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

ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2019, AT APPROXIMATELY 1830 CDT, N761AF, REGISTERED TO ARKANSAS CHILDREN? HOSPITAL, AND OPERATED BY ARKANSAS CHILDREN?S HOSPITAL (Z1RA), DEPARTED FROM ARKANSAS CHILDREN?S HOSPITAL IN SPRINGDALE (14AR) AND WAS TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO ARKANSAS CHILDREN?S HOSPITAL IN LITTLE ROCK (AR62).  WHILE ENROUTE, THE CREW RECEIVED A FIRE ANNUNCIATOR FOR THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT THE MORRILTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (KBDQ).  UPON INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE FROM THE NUMBER 2 ENGINE WAS DISCONNECTED AND REMOVED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION.  THIS CAUSED EXHAUST FROM THE NUMBER 2 ENGINE TO BE DUMPED INTO THE COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT AND CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.  THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT AND BEARINGS REVEALED THAT FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM WAS IMMINENT.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED SAFELY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE CREW AND PASSENGERS

## 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 CEN19LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA146), May 15, 2019: Sikorsky S76 (N761AF), Morrilton, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper securing of the exhaust duct bolts, which resulted in the duct becoming unseated and substantial heat damage to the tail rotor drive shaft.

## Other reports on N761AF (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20220312001719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220312001719A), Mar 12, 2022: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp S-76D (N761AF), Texarkana, TX, Substantial damage. Approximately 1830 on March 12, 2022. N761AF was in flight from AR62 Arkansas children?s hospital heliport, descending for a landing at Texarkana Wadley…

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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