# NTSB BFO88LA058: Sikorsky S-76A, N54C, Moundsville, WV, June 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1988, 16:42 local (20:42 UTC)
- Place: Moundsville, WV
- Coordinates: 39.919776, -80.7397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9198&lon=-80.7397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,static
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - utility pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED POWER LINES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A MINE SITE. THE NOSE GEAR OF THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED AN UNINSULATED STATIC WIRE. THIS WIRE WAS STRUNG WITH ONE OTHER STATIC WIRE AND TWO BLACK INSULATED POWER LINES. BOTH CREW MEMBERS STATED THAT THEY SAW THE BLACK LINES AND BELIEVED THEIR RATE OF CLIMB WOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. AFTERHITTING THE FIRST SET OF LINES, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A DESCENDING TURN AND THEN CONTACTED A SECOND SET OF POWER LINES ALONG WITH A POWER POLE. THE HELICOPTER THEN COLLIDED WITH A SWITCHING HOUSE AND CAME TO REST ALONGSIDE A EARTHEN SUPPLYSLOPE. NONE OF THE WIRES WERE MARKED. THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE SILVER COLORED STATIC WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54C-1988-10-05), registration cancelled 1988-10-05, S/N 760116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-76A
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76a) (registry code 8143006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7600116
- Airframe hours: 2466
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Conoco, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 15, 1988, 42 hours before
- Departed: MOUNDSVILLE, WV
- Destination: AGC, MORGANTOWN, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,861 total, 2,052 in this make and model, 11,451 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLG, 16 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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