# NTSB CHI75FET11: Sikorsky S-52-3, N54059, Valparaiso, IN, November 22, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 22, 1974
- Place: Valparaiso, IN · VALPARAISO, IN
- Location: 41.4798° N, 87.0523° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valparaiso, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4798&lon=-87.0523&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 31, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI75FET11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FET11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3623  74/11/22   VALPARAISO,IND      SIKORSKY S-52-3     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 53, 1114
        TIME - 1410                    N54059              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 69 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PORTER COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          VALPARAISO,IND              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - SABOTAGE
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- WATER,DIRT & GRASS FOUND IN FUEL TANK. 2 OTHER ACFT DMGD BY VANDALS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54059](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54059-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 52058, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S-52-3
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-52-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-52-3) (registry code 8141306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v6-series) (registry code 27036, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Porter County

## 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 19741122039489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741122039489A), Nov 22, 1974: Skrsky S523, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Water,dirt & grass found in fuel tank. 2 other acft dmgd by vandals.

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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