# NTSB CHI78FA020: Sikorsky S61L, N305V, Florence, IN, February 6, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 6, 1978
- Place: Florence, IN · FLORENCE, IN
- Location: 38.7826° N, 84.9258° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Florence, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7826&lon=-84.9258&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI78FA020
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FA020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1247   78/2/6    FLORENCE,IN         SIKORSKY S61L       CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 7086
        TIME - 1430                    N305V               PX-  0  0  0  CONSTRUCTION              TOTAL HOURS, 2860 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FLORENCE,IN                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- PITCH CTL ROD FAILED,SEPARATED.BEARING P/N SB 2300-3 FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N305V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S61L
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780206042289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780206042289A), Feb 6, 1978: Skrsky S61L, Florence, IN, Substantial damage. Tail rotor pitch control rod failed. Helicopter crash-landed in uncontrolled right turn.

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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