# NTSB ATL88LA190: Sikorsky S-55C, N883, Coaling, AL, June 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1988, 19:45 local (Jun 7, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Coaling, AL
- Location: 33.1699° N, 87.3499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Coaling, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1699&lon=-87.3499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA190

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - loss,total (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub pitch link - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, company/operator management (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE HELO WAS APPROACHING A HELIPAD FOR LANDING AFTER THE LAST AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT OF THE DAY WHEN THERE WAS A POP AND TAIL ROTOR CONTROL WAS LOST. AFTER SEVERAL ROTATIONS ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS, THE PIC LANDED THE HELO HARD, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. THE PIC/OWNER SAID THE TAIL ROTOR PITCH CHANGE LINK BOLT AND NUT WERE ABSENT. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE TAIL ROTOR. THE PIC/OWNER SAID HE HAD CHANGED THE TAIL ROTOR HUB AND THE PITCH CHANGE LINKS DURING THE WINTER, ABOUT 50 FLIGHT HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N883](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N883-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 551015, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-55C
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-55C](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-55c) (registry code 8141606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 551015
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1300-D 800 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Morris, Roy L.
- Registered owner: Roy L Morris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1988, 50 hours before
- Airport: Helicopter Pad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 14,350 total, 600 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 8 nm away

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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