# NTSB ATL87LA036: Sikorsky UH-19D, N37800, Roanoke Rapids, NC, December 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1986, 14:42 local (19:42 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Coordinates: 35.999008, -76.940467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9990&lon=-76.9405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed
  - rotor rpm - not maintained
  - flare - not possible

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE WAS SPREADING FERTILIZER ON TREES WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENG & THE HELICOPTER YAWED LEFT. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER'S ALT & SPEED WERE ABOUT 100 FT & 40 KTS. COLLECTIVE WAS RAISED TO CLEAR TREE TOPS & REACH A CLEARING. BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, ROTOR ENERGY WAS EXPENDED, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PLT SENT THE ENG TO A REPAIR FACILITY, BUT THE REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37800](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37800-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 55-4944, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY UH-19D
- Registry model: [Sikorsky UH-19D](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-uh-19d) (registry code 814161G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright R-1300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1300-series) (registry code 67060, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 55-4944
- Airframe hours: 4044
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300-3D 700 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dennis Rogers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 1986, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,000 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWI, 52 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 19861206071589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861206071589A), Dec 6, 1986: Orlhel UH19DSKRSKY, Windsor, NC, Substantial damage. The helicopter engine lost power and the aircraft made a hard landing in an open field. Engine problem undetermined

## Other investigations on N37800 (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 ATL92LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA166), Aug 25, 1992: Sikorsky UH-19D (N37800), St. Augustine, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S EXHAUST VALVE ROCKER ARM.

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.

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