# NTSB ATL84LA211: Sikorsky S-55B, N90414, Gilbertsville, KY, June 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1984, 20:10 local (Jun 24, 1984, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Gilbertsville, KY
- Location: 37.0277° N, 88.3131° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gilbertsville, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0277&lon=-88.3131&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA211

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS USED FOR PUBLIC RIDES AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK. DURING THE TAKEOFF TO FERRY THE ACFT BACK TO AN OVERNIGHT PARKING SPACE THE ENGINE QUIT AT 100 FT AGL. THE PLT SAID HE STARTED THE ACFT AND HOVERED USING FUEL FROM THE AFT FUEL TANK. WHEN THE ENGINE COUGHED HE LANDED, SWITCHED TANKS AND TOOK OFF. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE QUIT. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE AFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY WHILE THE FORWARD TANK HAD RUPTURED. SOME FUEL LINES HAD BEEN CUT FOR WRECKAGE REMOVAL BUT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE LINE BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND THE FUEL PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90414](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90414-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 55-3211, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55B
- Registry model: [Sikorsky UH-19D](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-uh-19d) (registry code 814161G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright R-1820 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-series) (registry code 67020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 55-3211
- Airframe hours: 2215
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300-3D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerial Research & Develop Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1984, 40 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,550 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,410 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840623034469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840623034469A), Jun 23, 1984: Orlhel UH19DSKRSKY, Gilbertsville, KY, Substantial damage. Engine lost power after takeoff with low fuel. Forced landing caused substantial damage.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.