# NTSB ATL89LA212: Sikorsky H-34J, N4556D, Louisville, GA, September 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1989, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, GA
- Coordinates: 32.989925, -82.3992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9899&lon=-82.3992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA212

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotor drive system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A LOGGING OPERATION, A JERKING MOTION WAS NOTED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING AT 200 FEET.  THE MOTION OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.  THE PILOT EJECTED THE LONG LINE AND ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN A SWAMPY AREA AND BURNED.  IT WAS NOT RECOVERED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY THROUGHOUT THE EMERGENCY.  THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT THE FREE WHEELING UNIT HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4556D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4556D-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 145668, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY H-34J
- Registry model: [Sikorsky UH-34J](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-uh-34j) (registry code 8141821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 145668
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-84D 1525 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Clifton D. Mcgowan, doing business as Liberty Helicopters
- Registered owner: Clifton D Mcgowan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 125 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890915035159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890915035159A), Sep 15, 1989: Skrsky UH34J, Louisville, GA, Destroyed. Jerking motion lifting log. Dropped log. Settled into swamp and burned. Pilot suspects drive clutch failed.

## Other investigations on N4556D (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 MIA85LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA056), Dec 10, 1984: Sikorsky UH34J (N4556D), Carrabelle, FL, 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.

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